Rhododendrons are a puffy pink celebration….I will never look at this precious vessel of nature the same. I listened to your soothing voice and felt your admiration, dedication, and love of nature and all of its elements and processes. You have captured and enlightened my heart in more ways than I can say.
Jo, aren't they? I love your expression "precious vessel". I'm bringing you some Peonies from my land on Friday. ❤️
And thank you for appreciating my recording. I always take a deep breath before I get up the courage to do the thing. And then there's the question of where, in this cottage, do I record without dog noise!!
Oh Kin, I love you, I appreciate every detail of this missive, especially: "to really, really admit that you understand what is happening to the planet, it will break your heart." Did i mention I love you.
Colettte Pichon Battle's words are essential to how we spend our hours and bow to nature in those hours. The topic is so hard, yes, harrowing, yet Colette has that voice of reason filled with passion and wisdom.
Katherine, I am glad to hear about Rights of Nature. Their organization sounds similar to what I’ve read about in a book written by environmental law professor Mary Christina Wood (University of Oregon School of Law) titled; “Nature’s Trust: Environmental Law for a New Ecological Age”. Her arguments have helped win a few court battles; railroads and forestry. I enjoyed reading how you wrote about your mountain. Thank you.
Finally catching up and it was worth the wait. Thank you for this gentle and strong (all at once) expanse of thought. I learned. I am grateful. Your writing is singing. xoxo
I’m working on a piece about rhododendrons. Amazing creatures, ecosystems in their own right. I puzzle over why they are so plentiful. I keep returning to their ability to store our magnificent rainfalls in their shallow but fibrous roots.
Do you know why Rhododendrons flourish where you are? Thanks, Katharine
The Lake District is a particularly damp area and also mountainous. Rather like where you live, perhaps. Lots of rain. I don't see them anywhere else in the country.
Thanks so much for your writing, your thoughts, bringing together others with inspiring ideas as well. I went back to sleep after the tornado warning, while a short distance from me the EF-0 tornado hit Black Mountain that night. (Who ever heard of an EF-0 anyway?) I'm grateful that no lives were lost, though a grandmother 300 year old oak might disagree with that tally. Yes yes, keep expressing yourself here please!
Barbara, I am glad you came through safely. Yes, that grandmother Oak!
I am sad that the Town Council meeting held just days after the tornado lasted four hours covering topics such as the plans for building four new dormitories near the Swannanoa River as well as 85 minutes on the idea of establishing a "social district" for folks to walk the streets with alcoholic beverages. I realize that an agenda item takes all sorts of approvals but really...when will we wake up?
Here's a wonderful report on the state of environmental affairs in western North Carolina. That mountains are occurring in the mountains is a phenomenon I'm trying to wrap my head around. I am especially grateful for the shout-out.
Thank you for saying that tornadoes in the mountains are "a phenomenon I'm trying to wrap my head around." Yes, I agree 1000%. What I can't understand is that life continues in this little town as if the tornado were simply a weather event. I'm on the ground listening most days because I have a business in town. At the Town Council meeting, other than the mayor opening with a few words of thanks for the town workers who worked through the tornado, the agenda was tourism and land development as usual. I am sad. I am scared. I will work harder for Rights of Nature.
Janisse, I want to sing to the world about your Journey In Place course on Substack. Your Thursday publications are epic, and essential to how I have progressed in writing about place. Thank you.🌱
Rhododendrons are a puffy pink celebration….I will never look at this precious vessel of nature the same. I listened to your soothing voice and felt your admiration, dedication, and love of nature and all of its elements and processes. You have captured and enlightened my heart in more ways than I can say.
Jo, aren't they? I love your expression "precious vessel". I'm bringing you some Peonies from my land on Friday. ❤️
And thank you for appreciating my recording. I always take a deep breath before I get up the courage to do the thing. And then there's the question of where, in this cottage, do I record without dog noise!!
The pups make a beautiful sound and they are such a part of your essence!
Oh Kin, I love you, I appreciate every detail of this missive, especially: "to really, really admit that you understand what is happening to the planet, it will break your heart." Did i mention I love you.
Oh Kin, i love you.
Colettte Pichon Battle's words are essential to how we spend our hours and bow to nature in those hours. The topic is so hard, yes, harrowing, yet Colette has that voice of reason filled with passion and wisdom.
Thank you for being here.❤️
Katherine, I am glad to hear about Rights of Nature. Their organization sounds similar to what I’ve read about in a book written by environmental law professor Mary Christina Wood (University of Oregon School of Law) titled; “Nature’s Trust: Environmental Law for a New Ecological Age”. Her arguments have helped win a few court battles; railroads and forestry. I enjoyed reading how you wrote about your mountain. Thank you.
Mark, thank you. I will check out Wood's book.
I am grateful to be in Janisse Ray's Journey In Place course with you. in kinship, Katharine
Katharine, it sounds like you live in a very special place. Thank you for sharing glimpses of it.
Thank you, Jeanne. I'm glad to be taking Journey In Place with you. Janisse Ray's wisdom in The Trackless Wild has helped me grow as a writer.🌱❤️
Finally catching up and it was worth the wait. Thank you for this gentle and strong (all at once) expanse of thought. I learned. I am grateful. Your writing is singing. xoxo
Awww, Kateri! You listened to me wail for a long time as I birthed the kinship work. Thank you. Truly.xoxo
I'm currently in the Lake District in England and there are rhododendrons everywhere. I have never seen so many.
And those hummingbirds... What a photo!
Jack, thanks for commenting.
I’m working on a piece about rhododendrons. Amazing creatures, ecosystems in their own right. I puzzle over why they are so plentiful. I keep returning to their ability to store our magnificent rainfalls in their shallow but fibrous roots.
Do you know why Rhododendrons flourish where you are? Thanks, Katharine
The Lake District is a particularly damp area and also mountainous. Rather like where you live, perhaps. Lots of rain. I don't see them anywhere else in the country.
Thank you Katharine. So lovely, and so much to think on, here.
Rebecca, thank you so much for reading and commenting. Also for restacking!
And many thanks for being the list maker for our nature writers❤️
Thanks so much for your writing, your thoughts, bringing together others with inspiring ideas as well. I went back to sleep after the tornado warning, while a short distance from me the EF-0 tornado hit Black Mountain that night. (Who ever heard of an EF-0 anyway?) I'm grateful that no lives were lost, though a grandmother 300 year old oak might disagree with that tally. Yes yes, keep expressing yourself here please!
Barbara, I am glad you came through safely. Yes, that grandmother Oak!
I am sad that the Town Council meeting held just days after the tornado lasted four hours covering topics such as the plans for building four new dormitories near the Swannanoa River as well as 85 minutes on the idea of establishing a "social district" for folks to walk the streets with alcoholic beverages. I realize that an agenda item takes all sorts of approvals but really...when will we wake up?
Thank you for all you do in Black Mountain.❤️
Here's a wonderful report on the state of environmental affairs in western North Carolina. That mountains are occurring in the mountains is a phenomenon I'm trying to wrap my head around. I am especially grateful for the shout-out.
Thank you for saying that tornadoes in the mountains are "a phenomenon I'm trying to wrap my head around." Yes, I agree 1000%. What I can't understand is that life continues in this little town as if the tornado were simply a weather event. I'm on the ground listening most days because I have a business in town. At the Town Council meeting, other than the mayor opening with a few words of thanks for the town workers who worked through the tornado, the agenda was tourism and land development as usual. I am sad. I am scared. I will work harder for Rights of Nature.
Janisse, I want to sing to the world about your Journey In Place course on Substack. Your Thursday publications are epic, and essential to how I have progressed in writing about place. Thank you.🌱
A great reflection Katharine. I always appreciate learning about who you are reading and working with.
Brian, I think you would appreciate both of Janisse's Substacks.
I'm looking forward to our August collaboration. Thanks for asking me.🌱