So many layers of beauty here, Katharine. Thank you! I am always heartened when I hear someone of any age say that us older folks DO care, that our generation did the best we could and yes, we made mistakes. But we do care. Forty-five years ago, I was working at a magazine called The Mother Earth News. We were all young, in our 20s and 30s, and we believed in the values we espoused in that publication--deep care for the environment, sustainable lifestyles, etc. We're all now in our 60s and 70s--and we still care. Thank you for what you do, both in the physical world of fighting for the health of rivers and here on Substack. Keep on keeping on!
I each generation has paved the way for the one before, both positively and negatively. To me, inter generational work is the boldest and strongest. ❤️
Side note, it is custom in my family from East Tennessee to call babies it until they are around two years old. It shows a history of not attaching until the child’s survival is more secure. As you’ve so eloquently said in these two articles, pronouns create attachment with can shape the way we love. ❤️
Holly! Thank you for your East Tennessee story. Wow. The power of "it". And then the power of "kin" or a personal pronoun.
The hours behind this piece were long and lovely; I had to catch myself at every pronoun. Gavin Van Horn says that becoming kin is an intentional act. Writing this piece felt that way. I learned so much.
I wouldn't mind if we used "she/her" for most things we currently call "it" (with just a few exceptions). I wish you and your sisters in spirit well Katharine but I must now begin a gentle severing with many affairs as time shortens. Be and do well. 💚
Jack, you were supposed to be on my Recommended Substacks, especially with the piece you wrote on gender. I am recording this and posting to Notes...I will rectify my oversight.
I love reading about the power of intergenerational work, especially when it involves two dear friends like Katharine and my student Hannah, featured in today's story. What a joy to peek inside your interactions, meetings, and collaborations! It takes a valley!
Mallory, it does take a valley. Thank you for being Hannah's professor. She is an amazing spirit. And thank you for telling me to read Janisse Ray's work. Her Trackless Wild has influenced my writing. 🌱
I am so honoured to be among so many I admire, including you. What a wonderful read. SO much to discover and to nurture hope and action. Thank you, friend. xo
Yes, let’s come to the waters and recognize that they are beings full of presence, and that—though many have forgotten—we are members of and belong within that family of all life, within our Earthly household. 💖 I appreciate how you are opening the way, Katharine, and glad to have found your offerings here on Substack . . . glad to be here alongside writers like you.
Thank you, Katharine! I truly hope that my words can offer you something that touches you, too some time. It is so good to find a writing community here to resonate with--I haven't found anything else quite like Substack.
As for Substack, this space is a dream come true. In 90s, the small presses were good to me. But what a process: researching the right publications, submitting, waiting, rejection letters, and once in a while that lovely acceptance. Substack is quite the democracy after all that. I love this community.🌱
Working across the generations is a beautiful song. I hear it walking beside indigenous ancestor music, beginning to acknowledge each other. Beautifully a d humbly and inclusively done. You have taught me much in this. More, I feel, than I realise at the moment. I can also feel the sense of community. 🌱
Peter, I just found your Substack. I'm glad you found me. What a generous and thoughtful expression you have. Thank you for reading and thank you for your comment. 🌱
Honored to be mentioned here Katharine, thank you. Your writing made me think of a book I keep meaning to finish called watershed discipleship. It basically, calls Christians to action, tending to the ecosystem in their watershed. It can also be a way to prevent overwhelm in tending to humanness as well, if you narrow your scope to your own watershed. If I make it through I'll report back my findings (blast it, there are too many books I want to read). Last,our local river, the St. Croix was the first Wild and Scenic River in the US. I love learning about the endangered mussels that live there and,sadly, no where else in the world.
Yes, on the narrowing the scope. I am reminded to do my small part. And that feels right.
I appreciate that the St. Croix was the first Wild and Scenic River. I hope that designation includes some protection for your endangered mussels, or at least gives them a better chance at life.
Again, thank you for writing your Nettle Witch about thous and its. And then reaching out to me about Martin Huber. So helpful. in kinship, katharine
So many layers of beauty here, Katharine. Thank you! I am always heartened when I hear someone of any age say that us older folks DO care, that our generation did the best we could and yes, we made mistakes. But we do care. Forty-five years ago, I was working at a magazine called The Mother Earth News. We were all young, in our 20s and 30s, and we believed in the values we espoused in that publication--deep care for the environment, sustainable lifestyles, etc. We're all now in our 60s and 70s--and we still care. Thank you for what you do, both in the physical world of fighting for the health of rivers and here on Substack. Keep on keeping on!
Mother Earth News! I'm so glad you told us that. Yes, we absolutely do care.
Thank you for what you do with Rx Nature. Such a good title! We will keep on keeping on~ together!🌱
I each generation has paved the way for the one before, both positively and negatively. To me, inter generational work is the boldest and strongest. ❤️
Side note, it is custom in my family from East Tennessee to call babies it until they are around two years old. It shows a history of not attaching until the child’s survival is more secure. As you’ve so eloquently said in these two articles, pronouns create attachment with can shape the way we love. ❤️
Holly! Thank you for your East Tennessee story. Wow. The power of "it". And then the power of "kin" or a personal pronoun.
The hours behind this piece were long and lovely; I had to catch myself at every pronoun. Gavin Van Horn says that becoming kin is an intentional act. Writing this piece felt that way. I learned so much.
Thank you, friend, for your careful read. LOVE k
As always thanks again for all you do Katharine. I loved hearing you read this, great addition. It forced me to slow down and absorb even more!
Thanks, Brian. Your encouragement means the world💙🌎
Thank you for sharing your squad, true bond of kinship.
Hope and care are your essence.
So generous, Jo. Thank you. I hope you found the audio.❤️
I wouldn't mind if we used "she/her" for most things we currently call "it" (with just a few exceptions). I wish you and your sisters in spirit well Katharine but I must now begin a gentle severing with many affairs as time shortens. Be and do well. 💚
Thank you for the time you gave us, Michael. with much love, Katharine❤️
Wonderful.
Jack, you were supposed to be on my Recommended Substacks, especially with the piece you wrote on gender. I am recording this and posting to Notes...I will rectify my oversight.
Very kind of you to do so; thanks.
I love reading about the power of intergenerational work, especially when it involves two dear friends like Katharine and my student Hannah, featured in today's story. What a joy to peek inside your interactions, meetings, and collaborations! It takes a valley!
Mallory, it does take a valley. Thank you for being Hannah's professor. She is an amazing spirit. And thank you for telling me to read Janisse Ray's work. Her Trackless Wild has influenced my writing. 🌱
I am so honoured to be among so many I admire, including you. What a wonderful read. SO much to discover and to nurture hope and action. Thank you, friend. xo
You belong here.
Yes, so much to discover!
Just writing this piece felt like a big block of learning.
I'm so glad you are here, friend. xo
Yes, let’s come to the waters and recognize that they are beings full of presence, and that—though many have forgotten—we are members of and belong within that family of all life, within our Earthly household. 💖 I appreciate how you are opening the way, Katharine, and glad to have found your offerings here on Substack . . . glad to be here alongside writers like you.
Michelle, what a joy to meet you! Thank you for finding me. I just subscribed to Coming to Ground. I am glad to be alongside writers like you!!🌱
Thank you, Katharine! I truly hope that my words can offer you something that touches you, too some time. It is so good to find a writing community here to resonate with--I haven't found anything else quite like Substack.
Your words do touch me!
As for Substack, this space is a dream come true. In 90s, the small presses were good to me. But what a process: researching the right publications, submitting, waiting, rejection letters, and once in a while that lovely acceptance. Substack is quite the democracy after all that. I love this community.🌱
Working across the generations is a beautiful song. I hear it walking beside indigenous ancestor music, beginning to acknowledge each other. Beautifully a d humbly and inclusively done. You have taught me much in this. More, I feel, than I realise at the moment. I can also feel the sense of community. 🌱
Peter, I just found your Substack. I'm glad you found me. What a generous and thoughtful expression you have. Thank you for reading and thank you for your comment. 🌱
Honored to be mentioned here Katharine, thank you. Your writing made me think of a book I keep meaning to finish called watershed discipleship. It basically, calls Christians to action, tending to the ecosystem in their watershed. It can also be a way to prevent overwhelm in tending to humanness as well, if you narrow your scope to your own watershed. If I make it through I'll report back my findings (blast it, there are too many books I want to read). Last,our local river, the St. Croix was the first Wild and Scenic River in the US. I love learning about the endangered mussels that live there and,sadly, no where else in the world.
Amy, thank you for all you wrote.
Yes, on the narrowing the scope. I am reminded to do my small part. And that feels right.
I appreciate that the St. Croix was the first Wild and Scenic River. I hope that designation includes some protection for your endangered mussels, or at least gives them a better chance at life.
Again, thank you for writing your Nettle Witch about thous and its. And then reaching out to me about Martin Huber. So helpful. in kinship, katharine
An exquisite read, Katherine, and not just because we share some of the same shaman/heroines. 🙏 Thank you. I’m rooting for you.
David, thanks for reading and for your comment. You are generous.
I appreciate your exquisite writing.🌱
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