Such a different world to travel in one essay from the exploration, paternalism but also the community of the Mills and finally to the river and kinship. Not the kinship of suffering that bonds soldiers nor the kinship of shared purpose that bonds activists, but the kinship of Being, like that which Ged, a wizard of Earthsea, comes to realize at the end.
An excellent essay, Katharine. Such an ominous day to start for Straus' company Ecusta on September 2, 1939 being the day after the start of the Second World War in Europe.
I like that point you mentioned about acting as if the river has rights. I like this way of thinking and had not heard it put so clearly. Thank you for sharing.
Good point about Ecusta, Neil! I’m having trouble viewing footage of the Swannanoa River after Helene slashed through the region (September 27th). The River is filled with our mess: vehicles, mobile homes, garbage and I’m sure - waste from the mills of the twentieth century.
Thank you so much for permission to show your Great Blue Heron. That will accompany my post on Wednesday. with gratitude, Katharine
What a beautiful sacred connection you have with the river. The first time I swam in Lake Saimaa here in Finland, I felt this deep awareness of the memories it carries and felt this invitation to trust the water as it carried me, a beautiful experience.
I read your note just before going into a very long work day. My work is great~I teach movement therapy. And yet, sometimes the writing beckons more strongly than my day job. Thank you for giving me the lift I needed to get to the point when I could put pencil to paper! much gratitude, katharine🌱🤍
Beautiful storytelling. As you wondered about your ability to listen and hear the river, I cheered you on. David Abram teaches that this connection is our birthright, that imagination is a sense just as sight and hearing are. And that love letter! I don’t have long experience with this, but every encounter I’ve had with a “sacred other” (non-human kin) is bathed in love. No resentment (tho we wanton humans may deserve it). My ecological design students do a semester-long project to explore their home watershed from many angles, including such direct encounters. It changes how they see the world. “Think like a watershed” is a good guide when designing anything. So glad to have connected here!
Fascinating post. My maternal great grand parents worked in the textile mills in along the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. My grandfather managed to move his family down river a few miles to the small town of West Newbury and he walked about 7 miles to work in a shoe factory in Haverhill, MA. I live about 2 miles from the mouth of the Merrimack and have spent my life time enamored by this beautiful estuary I inhabit.
Keep sharing these stories Katharine. Awareness is the first step in initiating others to take action.
Also, lovely writing!✍️
Brian, that means so much.
Yes, stories/poems lead to awareness.
Awareness leads to action.🌱
Thank you for this education: from my mind, my body and my heart.
Deep bow to you, Kin.
It's always great to read these stories from your part of the world. Your dedication to the river is inspiring.
Thank you friend.🌱
A lovely essay, Katharine. The Swannanoa is fortunate to have you on her side. And I love the letter from the river.
Thanks Jeanne. Loved your mention of the Pisgah Rangers in your post.🌱
Such a different world to travel in one essay from the exploration, paternalism but also the community of the Mills and finally to the river and kinship. Not the kinship of suffering that bonds soldiers nor the kinship of shared purpose that bonds activists, but the kinship of Being, like that which Ged, a wizard of Earthsea, comes to realize at the end.
Wow. Just wow, Michael. Thanks for your kind understanding.🌱
Thank you Katharine! At my last decade perhaps I'm just beginning to understand this miraculous place. Or to grasp the profundity of kinship.
I hear you.
I subscribe to Janisse Ray’s Trackless Wild. Every Thursday she publishes her Substack. Her work has helped me access that deep wonder about place.🌱
An excellent essay, Katharine. Such an ominous day to start for Straus' company Ecusta on September 2, 1939 being the day after the start of the Second World War in Europe.
I like that point you mentioned about acting as if the river has rights. I like this way of thinking and had not heard it put so clearly. Thank you for sharing.
Good point about Ecusta, Neil! I’m having trouble viewing footage of the Swannanoa River after Helene slashed through the region (September 27th). The River is filled with our mess: vehicles, mobile homes, garbage and I’m sure - waste from the mills of the twentieth century.
Thank you so much for permission to show your Great Blue Heron. That will accompany my post on Wednesday. with gratitude, Katharine
Informative history and moving prose, Katharine. Thank you!
Cathy, thank you for reading, for commenting, and subscribing. I’m so glad you are here.🌱🩵
Thank you for the warm welcome, Katharine.
What a beautiful sacred connection you have with the river. The first time I swam in Lake Saimaa here in Finland, I felt this deep awareness of the memories it carries and felt this invitation to trust the water as it carried me, a beautiful experience.
“I felt this deep awareness of the memories it carries…”
Beautiful 🩵
-- I am in love with this one, Katharine. Thank you. Xo.
Thaissa~
I read your note just before going into a very long work day. My work is great~I teach movement therapy. And yet, sometimes the writing beckons more strongly than my day job. Thank you for giving me the lift I needed to get to the point when I could put pencil to paper! much gratitude, katharine🌱🤍
Beautiful storytelling. As you wondered about your ability to listen and hear the river, I cheered you on. David Abram teaches that this connection is our birthright, that imagination is a sense just as sight and hearing are. And that love letter! I don’t have long experience with this, but every encounter I’ve had with a “sacred other” (non-human kin) is bathed in love. No resentment (tho we wanton humans may deserve it). My ecological design students do a semester-long project to explore their home watershed from many angles, including such direct encounters. It changes how they see the world. “Think like a watershed” is a good guide when designing anything. So glad to have connected here!
Thanks, Julie. I'm so glad you are here!! Your students are very fortunate.🌱
Fascinating post. My maternal great grand parents worked in the textile mills in along the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. My grandfather managed to move his family down river a few miles to the small town of West Newbury and he walked about 7 miles to work in a shoe factory in Haverhill, MA. I live about 2 miles from the mouth of the Merrimack and have spent my life time enamored by this beautiful estuary I inhabit.
What a gift to live near an estuary! I always love hearing from you and your direct connections to the Merrimack River. 💙
Thank you Katherine. It's such a beautiful river. We need to protect our rivers, they are such vital parts of our existence.
amen💧
You have encouraged me to be a better listener.
Jo, you already are🌱
Love the river. A whole heart kind of love. When we love someone we want to care for them. How do we turn all hearts toward loving the river?
@nanseymour says of her Great Salt Lake vigil...
"When the life of someone you love is at stake you stay with them."
Kateri, I see you do that in all your actions.
I don't know about "all hearts" but just the right hearts will be more than enough.
Big thanks for stopping by. And I'm working on a better map. 🥰