My historical book group just discussed Thunder in the Mountain (the English translation of his indigenous name is Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce) but I prefer the translation of his native name. I read a passage from your penultimate blog about the respect for the buffalo who are caged in an area just as the Native Americans ar confined to land no white man wants. I also discussed with then the harm the “founding fathers” especially the ones on the dollar bills caused irreparable harm to both the Indigenous people and the wild life. One question: I am now reading Louise Erdrich’s book The Sentence and she ends it with the same word you end this post: miigwich. What does that word mean?
Since I live in North Carolina If I could time travel I would love to go back to Cherokee land in the 900’s before white people ever came to North
Carolina. Fresh air, unpolluted water and soil and the beautiful blue Ridge Mountains. A culture where women where valued and the animals were brothers and sisters. Warmer weather than you have in Montana, but the comradeship in the lodges would be so supportive emotionally. I do enjoy your poetry as I taught poetry on the college level and identified most with Mary Oliver whose poems about nature always offer me great solace. I look forward to reading your poems. Many of them touch my heart.
Thank you, Sandy. "Miigwech" means "thank you" in Ojibwe. Louise Erdrich is Turtle Mountain Chippewa; Chief Little Shell was a hereditary chief of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa (or Pembina Band) which means Louise and I are essentially relatives. Funny thing is that I JUST started listening to The Sentence yesterday myself. I love her work.
I also love Mary Oliver. She might be my favorite.
I read The Sentence last year and loved it; a reviewer took umbrage with what Erdrich does in the second half (I won't spoil it) with events from life; I'd love to hear what you both think.
I would love to know what you think of it! I keep picking The Sentence up at the bookstore and reading the back (because Erdrich almost never misses for me) but am not all that keen on ghost stories of any kind. I just read La Rose and really loved it though.
I'm loving it so far. It's funny and makes me remember things I liked about working in a bookstore (and the things I DON'T miss as well). It also helps that I've been in Birchbark Books several times so much of that setting is familiar too.
Loved this! So beautiful. The photo of Darla really made me smile.
My favorite moments include those when I am sitting on our balcony watching and listening to the wind ruffling through the treetops. Maple, oak, red pine, cherry, crabapple. Sublime. I have never considered this indulgence a waste of time. I think of it more as a gift.
Your students will perpetuate your immortality.
With regard to my earliest remembrances of opening my heart, when I was a child I was once quoted as saying, “If you looked like my Daddy I would love you”.
If I ever fulfill my dream of visiting Montana I sure do hope that you will be able to take time out to share a cup of coffee with me. My treat.
I grew up in Butte but it was my step dad who told me that’s what they said and he was a Thompson Falls guy. It made me laugh because he had a goofy sense of humor so I thought it was just a silly thing he made up.
that beautiful snapshot of a poem, crying at a party. oof so good. And I love the picture of Darla with you, dogs are everything. So grateful for the moment in the week when we get to read your writing.
Oops! I wanted to say I love those moments of synchronicity when the Universe makes itself known. We live near a big park in the middle of a big city and every spring the herons return to nest. They’re amazing birds—loud and dinosaur-like and so graceful.
My historical book group just discussed Thunder in the Mountain (the English translation of his indigenous name is Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce) but I prefer the translation of his native name. I read a passage from your penultimate blog about the respect for the buffalo who are caged in an area just as the Native Americans ar confined to land no white man wants. I also discussed with then the harm the “founding fathers” especially the ones on the dollar bills caused irreparable harm to both the Indigenous people and the wild life. One question: I am now reading Louise Erdrich’s book The Sentence and she ends it with the same word you end this post: miigwich. What does that word mean?
Since I live in North Carolina If I could time travel I would love to go back to Cherokee land in the 900’s before white people ever came to North
Carolina. Fresh air, unpolluted water and soil and the beautiful blue Ridge Mountains. A culture where women where valued and the animals were brothers and sisters. Warmer weather than you have in Montana, but the comradeship in the lodges would be so supportive emotionally. I do enjoy your poetry as I taught poetry on the college level and identified most with Mary Oliver whose poems about nature always offer me great solace. I look forward to reading your poems. Many of them touch my heart.
Thank you, Sandy. "Miigwech" means "thank you" in Ojibwe. Louise Erdrich is Turtle Mountain Chippewa; Chief Little Shell was a hereditary chief of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa (or Pembina Band) which means Louise and I are essentially relatives. Funny thing is that I JUST started listening to The Sentence yesterday myself. I love her work.
I also love Mary Oliver. She might be my favorite.
I read The Sentence last year and loved it; a reviewer took umbrage with what Erdrich does in the second half (I won't spoil it) with events from life; I'd love to hear what you both think.
I will report back! I'm getting close to halfway through and so far I really enjoy it.
On another, completely unrelated note, I'm seeing CLUTCH tomorrow night. First show since before the pandemic.
Awesome, I love them. I didn’t know they were touring, I’ll have to see if they are coming my way.
Sounds like I need to pick it up!
I would love to know what you think of it! I keep picking The Sentence up at the bookstore and reading the back (because Erdrich almost never misses for me) but am not all that keen on ghost stories of any kind. I just read La Rose and really loved it though.
I'm loving it so far. It's funny and makes me remember things I liked about working in a bookstore (and the things I DON'T miss as well). It also helps that I've been in Birchbark Books several times so much of that setting is familiar too.
Sandy,
I think you might enjoy this post by the Montana artist John Potter. I wish he wrote more than he does.
https://www.johnpotterstudio.com/?keyvalue=71837&page=Blog&Topic=Native%20Beliefs
Hi Chris,
Loved this! So beautiful. The photo of Darla really made me smile.
My favorite moments include those when I am sitting on our balcony watching and listening to the wind ruffling through the treetops. Maple, oak, red pine, cherry, crabapple. Sublime. I have never considered this indulgence a waste of time. I think of it more as a gift.
Your students will perpetuate your immortality.
With regard to my earliest remembrances of opening my heart, when I was a child I was once quoted as saying, “If you looked like my Daddy I would love you”.
If I ever fulfill my dream of visiting Montana I sure do hope that you will be able to take time out to share a cup of coffee with me. My treat.
Sincerely,
Melissa
I'll drop everything for that, Melissa.
Chris,
I'll let Basho do the talking for me. He's way better at it.
Beautiful post last night. Thanks.
"Refreshed by talking
about blooming irises
along my journey"
Bashō never disappoints. Thank you.
Crying
At the party.
Wow.
And she has no idea how great it is.
I love this, Chris. The title alone made my day. The rest was a beautiful bonus. Especially Darla's eyes looking up at you.
Thank you, Emily.
Beautiful, as always. Wagamese and his wisdom. <3
Thank you for doing all you do, and for the inspiration.
Thank you, Rebecca.
Here I was thinking the whole time I was the only one who said “cheeeeseburger” when they sang 😊
I'd never heard that association myself until a few years ago. So here's a question for you, Nathan: where are you from/where did you grow up?
I grew up in Butte but it was my step dad who told me that’s what they said and he was a Thompson Falls guy. It made me laugh because he had a goofy sense of humor so I thought it was just a silly thing he made up.
Hmm. I was trying to establish it as a regional thing since a Midwesterner is who first revealed it to me, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Thank you for these good thoughts, Chris. I really enjoyed, especially listening to your Cold Weather Craft Series.
Much thanks, Leland.
I love Darla!!!
I love her too.
Beautiful, poetic post. And I loved her “Cat” acrostic!
Thanks, David. I loved it too!
that beautiful snapshot of a poem, crying at a party. oof so good. And I love the picture of Darla with you, dogs are everything. So grateful for the moment in the week when we get to read your writing.
Thank you, Freya. 💚
Oops! I wanted to say I love those moments of synchronicity when the Universe makes itself known. We live near a big park in the middle of a big city and every spring the herons return to nest. They’re amazing birds—loud and dinosaur-like and so graceful.
I love them.
No time spent watching the light is ever too much.
I hope that kid keeps writing! What a punch of a story.
It's great. One of those little bolts of lightning that makes all the headaches around the gig worth it.
And Chris, I was just reminded of a quote by Shakespeare: “ The earth has music for those who listen.”
Ah, I love that quote. Thank you, Melissa.
💕💕💕💕💕
💚