As we turn to the autumn, a picture that captures the passing summer. I’m sending my very best wishes to everyone starting the school year. Guessing– heck, pretty sure we know– that it’s going to be a busy week, so let’s take a deep breath and take the night off.
While I’m certain you can’t read all of the hundreds of comments you get on each of your posts, I just need to say how much I appreciate you. Thank you for sharing your expertise and perspective. You are a gift in these tumultuous times.
Love this photo and hope you have some time to read a book, take a nap or just space out in such a beautiful spot. My days are grounded by your letters - Thank you!
Thank you, Professor, for reminding us of the gift of healing in our natural world. The pictures are always a respite. Poetry too can be a place that takes us to Peace. One of the favorites, as we take care of the environment and it gives back to us. I’m sure this poem speaks for many of us.
“The Peace of Wild Things”
by Wendell Berry
“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
Wendell Berry
from New Collected Poems (Counterpoint, 2012)
Copyright (c) 2012 by Wendell Berry, reproduced by permission of Counterpoint
At 74 years old and always a west coast person, I had no knowledge about the Atlantic coast of Maine. After 10/30/2020 when my son and daughter in law married at The Cliff House in York, Maine, your photos resonate.
Take it easy, Heather. You deserve a rest. Thanks again for all the history. You have an uncanny knack for finding parallels to now from back when. I'm the one of your readers who has been talking obsessively about reactionary vs. conservative. Just got a new copy of A. O. Hershman's The Rhetoric of Reaction, and it's on my bedside table. I recommend it. The conservatives are fighting the reactionaries now, and that's a very good thing, I reckon.
Thank you for the rest and respite conveyed by this picture. Best to you as you start your school year. The rest of us learn from you every day with much gratitude for the history and insights.
Please…. As this school year begins, the tone is different. Keep our teachers across the nation in your thoughts. They battle for respect of their profession as they fight to respect the oath of the profession to help our students learn and to keep them safe…..from forces never encountered before in this time of the common good of public education.
Thank you, Professor Richardson for your dedication to teaching and learning.
I am in deep gratitude for you Heather. Your posts keep me hopeful and focused on taking positive actions where it will make the biggest difference in our upcoming midterms. Right now I am contributing to grassroots organizations in the swing states that have been vetted by Flip the Vote, a non profit all volunteer organization. They have identified 7 grassroots organizations that work year round in community building, education and registering voters! These organizations were successful in flipping the House in 2018 and giving us the Senate and the presidency in 2020! Check them out folks. You will be inspired and hopeful about our upcoming election cycles! Xo
While I’m certain you can’t read all of the hundreds of comments you get on each of your posts, I just need to say how much I appreciate you. Thank you for sharing your expertise and perspective. You are a gift in these tumultuous times.
I think we all rejoice to some extent when you take some time for yourself, Heather. Enjoy your evening in your beautiful environs.
Love this photo and hope you have some time to read a book, take a nap or just space out in such a beautiful spot. My days are grounded by your letters - Thank you!
Thank you, Professor, for reminding us of the gift of healing in our natural world. The pictures are always a respite. Poetry too can be a place that takes us to Peace. One of the favorites, as we take care of the environment and it gives back to us. I’m sure this poem speaks for many of us.
“The Peace of Wild Things”
by Wendell Berry
“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
Wendell Berry
from New Collected Poems (Counterpoint, 2012)
Copyright (c) 2012 by Wendell Berry, reproduced by permission of Counterpoint
Aaaargh!
No seriously have a night off. Thanks for the sanity and perspective.
Your posts and pictures keep me sane. Thank you for walking with each of us.
At 74 years old and always a west coast person, I had no knowledge about the Atlantic coast of Maine. After 10/30/2020 when my son and daughter in law married at The Cliff House in York, Maine, your photos resonate.
Take it easy, Heather. You deserve a rest. Thanks again for all the history. You have an uncanny knack for finding parallels to now from back when. I'm the one of your readers who has been talking obsessively about reactionary vs. conservative. Just got a new copy of A. O. Hershman's The Rhetoric of Reaction, and it's on my bedside table. I recommend it. The conservatives are fighting the reactionaries now, and that's a very good thing, I reckon.
It looks so relaxing...Thank you Heather for all of your hard work and this beautiful photo. Sleep well.
The chairs all have their back to the water. I wonder if someone is using them to make a statement.
Please take care of yourself. You are needed.
Have a great semester, Heather!
Thank you for the rest and respite conveyed by this picture. Best to you as you start your school year. The rest of us learn from you every day with much gratitude for the history and insights.
I'd go for the swing! Thanks.
Please…. As this school year begins, the tone is different. Keep our teachers across the nation in your thoughts. They battle for respect of their profession as they fight to respect the oath of the profession to help our students learn and to keep them safe…..from forces never encountered before in this time of the common good of public education.
Thank you, Professor Richardson for your dedication to teaching and learning.
Unita! 🗽💜
I am in deep gratitude for you Heather. Your posts keep me hopeful and focused on taking positive actions where it will make the biggest difference in our upcoming midterms. Right now I am contributing to grassroots organizations in the swing states that have been vetted by Flip the Vote, a non profit all volunteer organization. They have identified 7 grassroots organizations that work year round in community building, education and registering voters! These organizations were successful in flipping the House in 2018 and giving us the Senate and the presidency in 2020! Check them out folks. You will be inspired and hopeful about our upcoming election cycles! Xo
The rope swing between the birch trees bring back fond memories! 💖 Thanks for sharing. 👏
May you & teachers have a great school year.