"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."
Oh that’s wonderful, thanks for the recommendation. On top of everything else, someone just bought the 2 acres next door and cut down every single tree. We live in a semi-rural area of Houston on a heavily wooded lot. The lot next door has been a pipeline easement for 25 years. i hated to watch the squirrels, hawks, owls, rabbits, opossums and who knows what else have their habitats destroyed.
I too know how you feel, Beth. Behind my next-door neighbor’s house were 58 acres of woods.
In 2016 they were clear-cut for a new high-end subdivision. The noise of the trees coming down and from the construction, which continues to this day since houses are built as people one by one buy the lots, has been awful. Instead of dark, quiet woods, there is almost constant noise there now, from mowers and blowers, barking dogs, and additional construction from people building swimming pools and patios and such. I cringe at the thought that this weekend there will be firecrackers and fireworks disturbing the peace for hours and hours from there. And, yes, I feel sorry for all the wild critters that were displaced or killed. I’m very sorry those two acres next to you were clear cut.
Indeed. At least in areas where they're cut down for timber, the trees, shrubs and vegetation are allowed to grow back. Not so when they're cut for subdivisions or shopping centers.
Thanks, Beth. It was not a woods I walked in, but as Robert Frost said, it was "lovely, dark and deep." And quiet except for birdsong. From my house I always appreciated the rich darkness of it, and how it kept out the sometimes harsh brightness of the sky from coming into my living room, where I sit reading or watching TV. I don't know what happened to the other critters, but the rabbits and deer have found new homes in surrounding subdivisions like mine, gobbling up gardens despite best efforts to deter them. Mind you, rabbits are adorable and deer are beautiful, but they're both destructive, and deer are vectors for ticks, so both are not welcome visitors.
Again, I'm truly sorry you lost those two acres of woods next to you.
In 1970, as a 17 year old, I got my parents to give me the '62 Falcon instead of a plane ticket, to drive myself from Boston to Stanford, CA for their sabbatical, since the plane ticket and the Falcon were both worth about $100 in then current dollars.
Driving through western Wyoming, it began to pour. The pouring continued into Utah. It was pouring when I reached the last pass before the descent into Salt Lake City. There was a vantage at the pass, from where I could see the Great Salt Lake, and the entire Salt Lake valley. It was an amazing sight, the valley dappled with spots where the sun was shining down through the pouring rain. Salt Lake City took up maybe a 15th of the area of the valley.
I drove over that same pass 31 years later, on a reporting trip. By that time, nine tenths of the valley was covered in suburban sprawl.
It's the US population explosion. And it's gotten worse. From 1990-2020 we added 83 million--the population equivalent of four New York States. Half of that was native increase, and half was immigration.
Going forward, the Census Bureau projects the addition of one NY State equivalent per decade for the next four decades, 90% of that due to immigration. But with Biden's immigration policies, which are basically open borders (don't get me wrong--I like just about every other policy of Biden's and I voted for him enthusiastically, but when you promise not to deport anyone, it's open borders), I suspect we're going to be adding a lot more than that.
I grew up down in East Texas back when, along the Neches and Trinity River Bottoms, for miles on each side and along the river, there were old growth, never cut hardwood trees. The trees spanned the river and the area was fully shaded by beauty that even a 14 year old boy could feel.
We "boys" (age 14-18, 1974-1978) used to gather at someone's house and load tents in a pickup and our .22 rifles and fishing rods and spend weekends hunting, fishing along those rivers. Yes, 14 year old boys could drive and have loaded guns and fishing rods all piled in the back of a truck without any worries or mishaps.
It was so beautiful to be in the shade, along the river with the huge old trees overhanging the river. Quiet. Peacrful. Sometimes a squirrel chattering at us from above. Birds, haks, owls at night, coyotes at night. One time a skunk!
In 2009, when my two children were around 11 years old I decided to take them back to those old forests to show them what beauty truly was.
We flew to Texas, unloaded our stuff at a relative, packed the car and headed to the Neches River bottom with me eager to show them all the landmarks and beauty.
The road I was on has a long decline down to a bridge that crosses the Neches River. That road used to be canopied by very large trees so that, driving under them felt like driving under a tree tunnel.
I reached the area I thought was roughly the right place based on the downward slope of the road, but, on both sides of the road, there was only scrub brush and the beating sun.
When I reached the bridge with a small sign saying "Neches River" I stopped. My kids and I got out of the car and looked around.
It was unbelievable. For as far as the eye could see there was only scrub brush about 3 or 4 feet tall. The sun was beating down with blistering heat and waves of the heat rose upward off of the scrub brush.
I was too stunned to say anything but my son, after some time, asked: "Dad, are you sure this is the place you were telling us about"?. I said, "Yes I am".
He said: "It looks like someone set of a nuclear bomb here Dad".
And so it did. As far as one could see in every direction there was nothing but scrub brush and heat. Gone were the huge pin oaks, pecans, and all of the native southern species.
I went ahead and described what it once was to them, since, I had wanted them to both see and hear how it felt to be "outside" with nature's best: Trees.
Then, it became too hot standing on the concrete of the road and we turned around and drove back up the long incline. I swung into the first house I saw and stopped, carefully looking for the huge dog on the loose almost everyone had back in the day.
No dog. So, I knocked on the door and an elderly man answered, one that I did not know from my past. I asked: "What happened to the trees along the "bottom"?
He said, "Well, I guess when George Bush was Governor he signed off on clear cutting the entire bottom, I guess it is all hardwood floor in Houston and Dallas now." I have NOT been able to find verification of this statement, but, the folks in East Texas usually know what is going on.
And so, the only thing I/we have now of the beauty, quiet, and reverence of those huge woods is my memory. Which seems fresh, like I was just fishing there again.
There are Country secrets and Country memory. I trust in the old farmer's memory. One time I was told to "turn right at the chicken coup". I could not find where I was going and so checked again at the Country Store. It was then I was told that was where the old chicken coup had been. Country people might not know the names on a map but they know the land like their own hand. And they know its history.
Unfortunately clearcutting is in our National DNA. The early settlers cleared forests and moved westward like locusts stripping our land of its natural health and beauty. I am a member of a trees replanting organization in my town and also a member of Nature Conservancy. Being a vocal tree hugger gets me a lot of teasing. Trees are a quick and effective way to fight climate change. I am sorry for your loss of those trees. I see the same thing here and it is physically sickening.
These stories are heart breaking and gut wrenching. I can share the same about the wondrous valley where I grew up, surrounded by mountains, forested hills rising above morning mists, rivers and streams, orchards and pastures in between ... home to native tribes born to love, and care for the land and whole body of life ... also, people of Japanese heritage who were removed from their farms and interned during WWII ... making way for the era of upward mobility and the next generation of 'progress' that gave many the chance to build private wealth and own their own homes (on stolen land that is not ours to buy or sell!) ... to enjoy the beauty of the region ... only to awaken to forest and field being replaced by strip malls and cul de sac communities giving way to business parks and condos, and cars, cars, cars everywhere ...
Are we beginning to see and feel what indigenous people of these lands have been forced to live with for so long - even more so today ...? Is part of being "woke" recognizing and accepting responsibility to rectify our wrongs? How can we turn the tide of this tragic trend?
I have long been a Nat Con member, contribute to several wildlife orgs, and two Nat Parks groups, despite political emergencies overtaking everything. How much longer, day by day…
...and in the Dallas area, most of what was left of the Crosstimbers forest was cleared out for toll roads over the last 20 years. I remember seeing a coyote in a bulldozed field looking lost since her habitat disappeared in just a few days.
Yes, last time I was in Dallas I crested a small rise on one of the highways and looked north and all I saw, as far as the eye could see, were rooftops of houses crowded onto tiny lots crammed together like sardines in a can.
Your story and those of others are so sad. They would fit into the plot of "The Overstory." In the unquenchable thirst for profit, we've destroyed most of one of Earth's greatest gifts to us — trees and the natural systems they create.
New Braunfels! At UT, when I was a grad student, we used to Canoe along the, I think, Brazos river. Back then no helmets, no protective gear. We heard the Ambulance run the road all day. :-) It never crossed our minds we might hurt ourselves until one of our group rotated their canoe under water after not navigating a 5 foot drop and came up with blood on their head!
It was gorgeous back then. Not sure about now.
Yes, I was very fortunate to have incredible freedom and responsibility at a young age. I did not think of it that way at the time though.
I just had work to do, and, did it, then, we hunted and camped for fun.
Lovely but heart-rending story, Mike. Maybe you can find another spot to take your kids to so that they can experience the trees as you did. I don't hear people talk about this any longer but I'm with you; I recall and can even now experience this in places in Indiana.
Mike, this breaks my heart. We lived in The Woodlands, north of Houston, in the late 80's. I loved the forests around the area. So glad we left in 95 before W. I know there are wonderful people still there, but you couldn't pay me any amount of $ to go back.
That just breaks my heart. You must be still so heavy with grief. All you can do is celebrate the memories of what you had, what was alive and now is gone.
Oh Beth. My heart. 💔💔. My parents bought a lot at the edge of San Antonio to build their dream home. There were woods behind. A month after we moved in, the woods were ripped from the earth to make room for a huge shopping center, and what was once a two lane road that ran near us became a four lane highway.
Thank you Suz. It was off Blanco. I was thinking the same thing when I wrote the post yesterday. So is Austin, which I loved. It has now lost so much of what it was.
so very sorry. our local ordinances in atlantic beach florida protecting trees, our tree canopy, have been prempted by the state. we are fighting this overreach in court.
Same here Mary. Our local tree ordinances protecting live oaks and other native trees have been overruled by the state. People move here from up north and have no idea how vital shade is in Florida. Developers don’t care.
So true. In Florida we need our trees, however developers just see an opportunity to build more house and before you can blink an eye, what was a gorgeous forest is now an UGLY development!
Unfortunately Beth, that wasn’t just the habitat for the four and two-legged creatures you mentioned - but it was also an important part of our habitat that was destroyed! As someone from our pass was known to say: “Progress is our most important product”. I wonder if that is still true and valid today? Happy Fourth!
A good question...here in Salem, OR. for some it is more development, more roads, more parking lots, more strip malls, etc. In a large development in the hills of south Salem now sits a Costco. The property had many large white oaks. The developer is a local hypocritical lying "Christian" who I wonder why anyone believes or does business with. Of course, some of the trees were cut and then he paid a fine. Big deal. Some were moved....and I just saw a picture of dead trees. Right now the fight is with a farm, also in south Salem. The heirs are fighting and some want it to remain open. The salivating developer promised to lessen the number of houses and the city council signed off on it. Nothing has happened yet, so I don't know the status of this. To the southwest of Salem, near the South Santiam River, a large Foster Farms chicken enterprise has been given the go ahead despite protests of everyone in the area and some other large chicken farms are on the works. it was a state agency who green-lighted this. Once again I don't know if it is actually going ahead. We do have land use laws here in Oregon which the developer class has worked hard to undermine. We have a couple friends who work very hard on these cases along with 1000 Friends of Oregon. We belong to the local county chapter.
Excellent question: Other than just what occurs with the passage of time, some things can easily be seen and interpreted as progress (i.e., the little handheld smartphone devices that most of us carry which can provide almost instant access to almost all information previously and currently known to man and woman - and probably somethings unknown)… but can we say the same for actions (or lack thereof) of our Congress or our SCOTUS? Just a minute feeble attempt at offering the start of answering your profoundly excellent question. Besides, the “real” answer(s) depends upon one’s perspective: Ask toll takers, cashiers, typists, baseball umpires (potentially to be replaced by a machine for calling balls and strike’s behind home plate), et al.
Such a shock and disappointment to experience. I, too, have an experience. My neighbor who is a transplant Vietnamese told me she hated trees. I was taken aback and asked her why. She told me they were dirty, and her response to my why was that they drop the leaves all over. Wow! I asked her if she knew about the natural life cycle and how important trees are. Somehow that info didn't register. I never thought about trees as dirty, messy or an inconvenience! Growing up in Maine leaves signified a change of seasons, a fun crunching as we walked along and piles to jump on in the Fall. In the summer, wonderful shade for sitting and reading. Now I live in Hawaii and we have trees here. Still I never think twice about leaves, but I do wonder how many people dislike trees and have no understanding of their role or care.
That is so sad! We have new jackass neighbors who bought the house at the end side of our property and put up a fence. My husband's family have owned this property for 76 years and there has NEVER been a fence. They cut down old trees that were the homes for birds and other animals. We will never be friends with these people who think they are more important than anyone on the face of the earth.
A great book (nonfiction) on trees is by Suzanne Simard called "Finding the Mother Tree." An amazing scientifically proven recounting of the existence of mother trees and trees nurturing one another. She makes a valid case for the sentience of trees.
Thank you, Nancy. Though "The Overstory" was the third book by Richard Powers that I've read ("The Echo Maker" and "Bewilderment" were the others), this is the first time I've read or seen an interview with him. Enlightening to say the least.
In my long life, I've never encountered a writer like Powers, whose storytelling is so riveting, writing so beautiful, and research so illuminating. Not to mention characters that leap off the page.
Heather seems to launch her kayak into nature to escape from the pressures of documenting our travails and putting them into historical context. That was what the father and his very-troubled but brilliant son did in "Bewilderment."
We love the house and place we moved to 20 years ago. It might never have happened without three linden trees, 100 years old at the time. They were in the parking strip of the neighbors who live behind us here in Northeast Portland.
My wife and I had a printout of a flier for a house for sale a block away. We couldn't find it. I pulled over on a side street. I immediately smelled something intoxicating. I left the car and realized it was the massive trees overhead in bloom. Then I heard all the bees buzzing. We walked to the corner and saw a for sale sign in front of a house. Not the house we were looking for. An open house. We were the second visitors. The grand trees led us here, and the rest is history.
The neighbors have a photo of the trees when they were saplings and this was farmland, though now we're only a couple of miles from downtown. A few years ago, a huge branch fell from one of the trees. The entire tree had to be cut down. About 40 people turned out for a wake that our neighbors put on for the magnificent fallen creature. I've always been in awe of the lindens, but much more so now thanks to "The Overstory." Touching their bark invokes feelings and thoughts that only readers of the book will understand.
Ten years ago, we bought our home because I fell in love with a large Yoshino Cherry planted right behind it. It must have been planted by the original owner in the late 1980s and rivals the trees around the DC Tidal basin. I told my husband, a house can be built in a few months, but this tree is irreplaceable. Its blooms are breathtaking but the best part is standing under its branches when in full bloom. You do not just hear but can feel the collective hum and vibrations of thousands of bees in all the flowers. The vibrations travel through my body. Just amazing.
I could not get through it. I could not get involved in it. I need human characters that I can relate to.
I can't recommend enough Stephen King's 11/22/1963. I LIVED that book. (Unlike his reputation this is not a horror book, although he does use it a little.) I read it three times, and then a fourth, for distraction, in November 2016.
For nature: Annie Proulx' article on swamps, and why they matter, in the July 4 NYer.
Thank you for the recommendation, David. I too, like to read fiction with relatable characters. It saddens me that you didn’t get through The Overstory. I listened to it on audible and found the characters compelling and relatable, especially when they became interconnected. Especially a curmudgeonly Vietnam Vet whose character grew into an activist for the old growth trees. Maybe you will give it another chance?
You're welcome Heather. I should add that there's a wonderful romance in 11/22/1963, and an amazing ending. And, King apparently did his research, talking to presidential scholars, studying up on Oswald's year or so in Dallas before the assassination, undoubtedly, among other things, reading Priscilla Johnson McMillan's Marina and Lee, a book that made clear to me that Oswald lacked the emotional intelligence to participate in a conspiracy--despite being considerably smarter and more capable than I'd ever imagined him to be--killing the notion that anyone else was involved in the assassination.
And somehow it filled in some blanks for me to find out exactly what happened when in Dallas that day. I was 10, in fifth grade, and we'd been let out at noon, as on all Fridays, and I'd gone to my then best friend's house to spend the night, and we became aware of the unfolding events fairly soon after I arrived at his house.
A perfect poem, Rowshan, capturing in words the essence of what Heather shared with her beautiful photo. I just suggested to Heather that she frame her photo and put your poem next to it.
I wouldn’t deign to compete with the great Mary Oliver. My reflections are just quick musings — or studies, if you will — of photographs uploaded by HCR.
This was my thought exactly. Both should be saved and enjoyed for years to come when we forget that nature can bring a smile to our hearts and a peacefulness we sometimes need to find.
Rowshan, it is, in itself, a reflection within a reflection on so many levels....that path of blue is a visual near/far, earth/cosmos, particular/universal....and, as HCR does over and over again in her writing, always fluidly connected.
As others here have suggested I hope Heather does frame her picture and your poem together!! Thanks to you both for my morning meditation!!
The photo posted by Professor Richardson reminds me of a habit ingrained in me regarding journalism….always REFLECT what one reads with what one thinks and feels and experiences so that one can add to schema and move forward in real time. That is progress.
Yes. And, 171 years ago, my friend Henry Thoreau wrote, "In Wildness is the preservation of the World." Henry was pure and prescient as well as being one of the greatest Americans.
It seriously does. I walk daily in the incredible natural parks that I live by. The woods. The birds. The waters. There is a tribute to Anne Frank at one of them where what was once the palace of Queen Maria Cristina and is now a culture center for peace.
Thank you Bruce, I needed that. I reached my lowest level last night, literally could not sleep. I feel like giving up. When the Supreme Court dismantles everything and the Republicans do nothing but lie, deflect and destroy the rule of law I really can't see any hope.
In the beginning years of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a School of the Prophets met regularly to review not only scriptures, but many topics, one of which was the Constitution of this great land. As prophets they foresaw the future and said a time would come that "the Constitution would hang by a thread". I've known of this my whole life and wondered what would occur in our country for this to happen. Well, we are seeing it, living it. All I have anymore is my faith. Praying for our country.
Sitting here in my quiet place, a space built with a broken back, and replenishing near the ashes and wildflower racing across our valley. Heather has to be exhausted and I am glad she found that idyllic stream and calm.
Marathon for sure...this week has been devastating! We all need to rest and renew continually for the long haul. TY so much Heather...and all of you, my fellow/sister travelers.
Indeed, quite a trying time if one is a believer and supporter of democracy and honest jurisprudence.
Nevertheless, please do rest and enjoy some good shut-eye; we need your acumen and reasoned perspective in fine form to give is sorely needed context and vision in this godawful mess. Cheers.
Strong honest exhausted 26 year old Cassidy Hutchinson Stuns With Testimony About Trump on Jan. 6 - trying to save us... meanwhile Black Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn by a weakened weak wimp pallid white Chief Justice John Roberts leading a rogue racist Supreme Court - and it’s clear that white racism - WHITE RACISM RULES - apply again and again in the land of Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis - with criminal former grifter in chief president Trump running to enrich himself - and most pampered Americans worried about the cost of gasoline.. not warming, and current history is recorded by the myopic for the myopic on TV with Michael Beschloss of the dyed hair and plagiarism flowing through every paragraph... and we are tired tonight.
Awe shucks. We are exhausted just warming and selling our words for millions as the poor starve and flee drought, war and rising crime and water...
Newspapers big and small are dying as Randal Smith is buying them to bankrupt them and liquidate their assets for profit and he calls himself a conservative Republican Trump loving patriot.. trained at Bear, Stearns .. under Cy Lewis - who came honest and died dishonest..
And we are tired. As the daily slaughter is recorded, and no one asks why those white boys kill and kill and kill - people of color, and white racist cops do the same.
And we are tired.
Yes, fucking tired.
One Art by Elizabeth Bishop comes to mind. How did she live? Die? How did her mother die?
Tired.
W. Mark Felt saved his nation and lost his wife. He died tired and alone. In tears. Smiling.
For me, I feel over-informed and under-armed to cause change, the proverbial cow caught on the cow catcher of a coal fired piston driven train traveling back in time to a hot tired town in Southern Mississippi.
Totally. Exhausting. I admire your ability to do the very hard work AND to take care of yourself so that you can sustain your effort over the long haul. But I guess that’s the secret sauce of being such a great historian!!!
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."
--Anne Frank
And Martin Luther, when asked what he would do if the world was ending said, "I'd plant a tree."
Speaking of trees, I can't recommend enough Richard Powers' novel "Overstory."
Oh that’s wonderful, thanks for the recommendation. On top of everything else, someone just bought the 2 acres next door and cut down every single tree. We live in a semi-rural area of Houston on a heavily wooded lot. The lot next door has been a pipeline easement for 25 years. i hated to watch the squirrels, hawks, owls, rabbits, opossums and who knows what else have their habitats destroyed.
"People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people"
--Bryce Nelson (my husband)
Truth
Let’s hope not.
I too know how you feel, Beth. Behind my next-door neighbor’s house were 58 acres of woods.
In 2016 they were clear-cut for a new high-end subdivision. The noise of the trees coming down and from the construction, which continues to this day since houses are built as people one by one buy the lots, has been awful. Instead of dark, quiet woods, there is almost constant noise there now, from mowers and blowers, barking dogs, and additional construction from people building swimming pools and patios and such. I cringe at the thought that this weekend there will be firecrackers and fireworks disturbing the peace for hours and hours from there. And, yes, I feel sorry for all the wild critters that were displaced or killed. I’m very sorry those two acres next to you were clear cut.
Clear cut, words to evoke such loathing…
Indeed. At least in areas where they're cut down for timber, the trees, shrubs and vegetation are allowed to grow back. Not so when they're cut for subdivisions or shopping centers.
Oh, Mim! That’s appalling. And Georgia has beautiful woods.
Thanks, Beth. It was not a woods I walked in, but as Robert Frost said, it was "lovely, dark and deep." And quiet except for birdsong. From my house I always appreciated the rich darkness of it, and how it kept out the sometimes harsh brightness of the sky from coming into my living room, where I sit reading or watching TV. I don't know what happened to the other critters, but the rabbits and deer have found new homes in surrounding subdivisions like mine, gobbling up gardens despite best efforts to deter them. Mind you, rabbits are adorable and deer are beautiful, but they're both destructive, and deer are vectors for ticks, so both are not welcome visitors.
Again, I'm truly sorry you lost those two acres of woods next to you.
In 1970, as a 17 year old, I got my parents to give me the '62 Falcon instead of a plane ticket, to drive myself from Boston to Stanford, CA for their sabbatical, since the plane ticket and the Falcon were both worth about $100 in then current dollars.
Driving through western Wyoming, it began to pour. The pouring continued into Utah. It was pouring when I reached the last pass before the descent into Salt Lake City. There was a vantage at the pass, from where I could see the Great Salt Lake, and the entire Salt Lake valley. It was an amazing sight, the valley dappled with spots where the sun was shining down through the pouring rain. Salt Lake City took up maybe a 15th of the area of the valley.
I drove over that same pass 31 years later, on a reporting trip. By that time, nine tenths of the valley was covered in suburban sprawl.
Developers have free rein
😔
It's the US population explosion. And it's gotten worse. From 1990-2020 we added 83 million--the population equivalent of four New York States. Half of that was native increase, and half was immigration.
Going forward, the Census Bureau projects the addition of one NY State equivalent per decade for the next four decades, 90% of that due to immigration. But with Biden's immigration policies, which are basically open borders (don't get me wrong--I like just about every other policy of Biden's and I voted for him enthusiastically, but when you promise not to deport anyone, it's open borders), I suspect we're going to be adding a lot more than that.
Beth,
I grew up down in East Texas back when, along the Neches and Trinity River Bottoms, for miles on each side and along the river, there were old growth, never cut hardwood trees. The trees spanned the river and the area was fully shaded by beauty that even a 14 year old boy could feel.
We "boys" (age 14-18, 1974-1978) used to gather at someone's house and load tents in a pickup and our .22 rifles and fishing rods and spend weekends hunting, fishing along those rivers. Yes, 14 year old boys could drive and have loaded guns and fishing rods all piled in the back of a truck without any worries or mishaps.
It was so beautiful to be in the shade, along the river with the huge old trees overhanging the river. Quiet. Peacrful. Sometimes a squirrel chattering at us from above. Birds, haks, owls at night, coyotes at night. One time a skunk!
In 2009, when my two children were around 11 years old I decided to take them back to those old forests to show them what beauty truly was.
We flew to Texas, unloaded our stuff at a relative, packed the car and headed to the Neches River bottom with me eager to show them all the landmarks and beauty.
The road I was on has a long decline down to a bridge that crosses the Neches River. That road used to be canopied by very large trees so that, driving under them felt like driving under a tree tunnel.
I reached the area I thought was roughly the right place based on the downward slope of the road, but, on both sides of the road, there was only scrub brush and the beating sun.
When I reached the bridge with a small sign saying "Neches River" I stopped. My kids and I got out of the car and looked around.
It was unbelievable. For as far as the eye could see there was only scrub brush about 3 or 4 feet tall. The sun was beating down with blistering heat and waves of the heat rose upward off of the scrub brush.
I was too stunned to say anything but my son, after some time, asked: "Dad, are you sure this is the place you were telling us about"?. I said, "Yes I am".
He said: "It looks like someone set of a nuclear bomb here Dad".
And so it did. As far as one could see in every direction there was nothing but scrub brush and heat. Gone were the huge pin oaks, pecans, and all of the native southern species.
I went ahead and described what it once was to them, since, I had wanted them to both see and hear how it felt to be "outside" with nature's best: Trees.
Then, it became too hot standing on the concrete of the road and we turned around and drove back up the long incline. I swung into the first house I saw and stopped, carefully looking for the huge dog on the loose almost everyone had back in the day.
No dog. So, I knocked on the door and an elderly man answered, one that I did not know from my past. I asked: "What happened to the trees along the "bottom"?
He said, "Well, I guess when George Bush was Governor he signed off on clear cutting the entire bottom, I guess it is all hardwood floor in Houston and Dallas now." I have NOT been able to find verification of this statement, but, the folks in East Texas usually know what is going on.
And so, the only thing I/we have now of the beauty, quiet, and reverence of those huge woods is my memory. Which seems fresh, like I was just fishing there again.
There are Country secrets and Country memory. I trust in the old farmer's memory. One time I was told to "turn right at the chicken coup". I could not find where I was going and so checked again at the Country Store. It was then I was told that was where the old chicken coup had been. Country people might not know the names on a map but they know the land like their own hand. And they know its history.
Unfortunately clearcutting is in our National DNA. The early settlers cleared forests and moved westward like locusts stripping our land of its natural health and beauty. I am a member of a trees replanting organization in my town and also a member of Nature Conservancy. Being a vocal tree hugger gets me a lot of teasing. Trees are a quick and effective way to fight climate change. I am sorry for your loss of those trees. I see the same thing here and it is physically sickening.
These stories are heart breaking and gut wrenching. I can share the same about the wondrous valley where I grew up, surrounded by mountains, forested hills rising above morning mists, rivers and streams, orchards and pastures in between ... home to native tribes born to love, and care for the land and whole body of life ... also, people of Japanese heritage who were removed from their farms and interned during WWII ... making way for the era of upward mobility and the next generation of 'progress' that gave many the chance to build private wealth and own their own homes (on stolen land that is not ours to buy or sell!) ... to enjoy the beauty of the region ... only to awaken to forest and field being replaced by strip malls and cul de sac communities giving way to business parks and condos, and cars, cars, cars everywhere ...
Are we beginning to see and feel what indigenous people of these lands have been forced to live with for so long - even more so today ...? Is part of being "woke" recognizing and accepting responsibility to rectify our wrongs? How can we turn the tide of this tragic trend?
I have long been a Nat Con member, contribute to several wildlife orgs, and two Nat Parks groups, despite political emergencies overtaking everything. How much longer, day by day…
...and in the Dallas area, most of what was left of the Crosstimbers forest was cleared out for toll roads over the last 20 years. I remember seeing a coyote in a bulldozed field looking lost since her habitat disappeared in just a few days.
Cap,
Yes, last time I was in Dallas I crested a small rise on one of the highways and looked north and all I saw, as far as the eye could see, were rooftops of houses crowded onto tiny lots crammed together like sardines in a can.
I had one thought: "Unsustainable".
😥😕😥🙁😥☹️😥😟😥
We simply don’t deserve this glorious planet.
Your story and those of others are so sad. They would fit into the plot of "The Overstory." In the unquenchable thirst for profit, we've destroyed most of one of Earth's greatest gifts to us — trees and the natural systems they create.
Beautifully written, Mike. My heart breaks for you 💔 that your precious woods are now just a memory. But at least you have the memories.
This breaks my heart to read. What amazing youth you had. I hope you have pictures of that time. I feel the same way about New Braunfels.
Gailee!
New Braunfels! At UT, when I was a grad student, we used to Canoe along the, I think, Brazos river. Back then no helmets, no protective gear. We heard the Ambulance run the road all day. :-) It never crossed our minds we might hurt ourselves until one of our group rotated their canoe under water after not navigating a 5 foot drop and came up with blood on their head!
It was gorgeous back then. Not sure about now.
Yes, I was very fortunate to have incredible freedom and responsibility at a young age. I did not think of it that way at the time though.
I just had work to do, and, did it, then, we hunted and camped for fun.
That is so sad.
Indeed. It is.
So sad!
Lovely but heart-rending story, Mike. Maybe you can find another spot to take your kids to so that they can experience the trees as you did. I don't hear people talk about this any longer but I'm with you; I recall and can even now experience this in places in Indiana.
So sad!
Mike, this breaks my heart. We lived in The Woodlands, north of Houston, in the late 80's. I loved the forests around the area. So glad we left in 95 before W. I know there are wonderful people still there, but you couldn't pay me any amount of $ to go back.
Were the tall trees of your youth on state lands?
That just breaks my heart. You must be still so heavy with grief. All you can do is celebrate the memories of what you had, what was alive and now is gone.
😥😕😥🙁😥☹️😥😟😥
Thank you for conveying that story. Where did you end up camping with your children?
We stayed in Palestine, TX at the small Holliday in I once worked at as a dishwasher, not far from the old farm I worked before I left.
We did not camp outside at all.
“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” Joni Mitchell
Oh Beth. My heart. 💔💔. My parents bought a lot at the edge of San Antonio to build their dream home. There were woods behind. A month after we moved in, the woods were ripped from the earth to make room for a huge shopping center, and what was once a two lane road that ran near us became a four lane highway.
Gailee, in August of 1987 I was in San Antonio and it was 98F that day.
Now, in August, almost all of the days of August are over 100, sometimes even 108, which, never even once occurred in 1987.
Not looking good at all.
I'm so very sorry, Gailee.
Thank you Suz. It was off Blanco. I was thinking the same thing when I wrote the post yesterday. So is Austin, which I loved. It has now lost so much of what it was.
I know of such, it hurts my soul
Mine too.
so very sorry. our local ordinances in atlantic beach florida protecting trees, our tree canopy, have been prempted by the state. we are fighting this overreach in court.
In response to my community's chopping down trees whose roots were impinging upon sidewalks and cracking pavements, I wrote a poem:
IN DEFENSE OF TREES
Trees were Created
On Day Number Three,
Their seeds giving birth
To what you now see.
The Bible has not
E’en one word to say
Of sidewalks and gutters
We’ve put in their way.
Stop now to wonder
What the menace is?
Concrete we’ve poured, or
What’s in Genesis?
Same here Mary. Our local tree ordinances protecting live oaks and other native trees have been overruled by the state. People move here from up north and have no idea how vital shade is in Florida. Developers don’t care.
So true. In Florida we need our trees, however developers just see an opportunity to build more house and before you can blink an eye, what was a gorgeous forest is now an UGLY development!
Unfortunately Beth, that wasn’t just the habitat for the four and two-legged creatures you mentioned - but it was also an important part of our habitat that was destroyed! As someone from our pass was known to say: “Progress is our most important product”. I wonder if that is still true and valid today? Happy Fourth!
And what actually is Progress
A good question...here in Salem, OR. for some it is more development, more roads, more parking lots, more strip malls, etc. In a large development in the hills of south Salem now sits a Costco. The property had many large white oaks. The developer is a local hypocritical lying "Christian" who I wonder why anyone believes or does business with. Of course, some of the trees were cut and then he paid a fine. Big deal. Some were moved....and I just saw a picture of dead trees. Right now the fight is with a farm, also in south Salem. The heirs are fighting and some want it to remain open. The salivating developer promised to lessen the number of houses and the city council signed off on it. Nothing has happened yet, so I don't know the status of this. To the southwest of Salem, near the South Santiam River, a large Foster Farms chicken enterprise has been given the go ahead despite protests of everyone in the area and some other large chicken farms are on the works. it was a state agency who green-lighted this. Once again I don't know if it is actually going ahead. We do have land use laws here in Oregon which the developer class has worked hard to undermine. We have a couple friends who work very hard on these cases along with 1000 Friends of Oregon. We belong to the local county chapter.
From a song from the 1970’s, “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot “
Excellent question: Other than just what occurs with the passage of time, some things can easily be seen and interpreted as progress (i.e., the little handheld smartphone devices that most of us carry which can provide almost instant access to almost all information previously and currently known to man and woman - and probably somethings unknown)… but can we say the same for actions (or lack thereof) of our Congress or our SCOTUS? Just a minute feeble attempt at offering the start of answering your profoundly excellent question. Besides, the “real” answer(s) depends upon one’s perspective: Ask toll takers, cashiers, typists, baseball umpires (potentially to be replaced by a machine for calling balls and strike’s behind home plate), et al.
❤️
Beth I know how awful that feels. ❤️
Such a shock and disappointment to experience. I, too, have an experience. My neighbor who is a transplant Vietnamese told me she hated trees. I was taken aback and asked her why. She told me they were dirty, and her response to my why was that they drop the leaves all over. Wow! I asked her if she knew about the natural life cycle and how important trees are. Somehow that info didn't register. I never thought about trees as dirty, messy or an inconvenience! Growing up in Maine leaves signified a change of seasons, a fun crunching as we walked along and piles to jump on in the Fall. In the summer, wonderful shade for sitting and reading. Now I live in Hawaii and we have trees here. Still I never think twice about leaves, but I do wonder how many people dislike trees and have no understanding of their role or care.
That is so sad! We have new jackass neighbors who bought the house at the end side of our property and put up a fence. My husband's family have owned this property for 76 years and there has NEVER been a fence. They cut down old trees that were the homes for birds and other animals. We will never be friends with these people who think they are more important than anyone on the face of the earth.
Money, Colette, it’s about having too much money. And no idea of empathy. I know these people.
Sadly, so do I.
Colette, perhaps they needed a fence so their dog(s) could safely stay outside? Nevertheless, I truly empathize with your loss of the old trees.
No dog. Just marking their own territory.
Oh, how sad. Words fail...
poet laureate stanley kunitz's iconic poem 'the war against the trees' describes just what you have experienced.
1958! 😮If only we could learn to listen to the warnings from our wise.
O.M.G. I’m so sorry to hear that, Beth. So very sorry.
I am SO SORRY for your loss. That is heartbreaking.
😔
Thank you. I just ordered it. Here is a wonderful link to questions he was asked and the books he read before writing it. You have eased my heart.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/loved-the-overstory-richard-powers-recommends-26-other-books-on-trees
Thanks, Gailee!
I wondered where all the knowledge came from. Amazing list of books. Much appreciated.
Thank you 🙏 ❤️
A great book (nonfiction) on trees is by Suzanne Simard called "Finding the Mother Tree." An amazing scientifically proven recounting of the existence of mother trees and trees nurturing one another. She makes a valid case for the sentience of trees.
I was just thinking of this...such a favorite book that continually speaks to me!
I just went to my bookshelf to pull off THE OVERSTORY and found another favorite: UNDERLAND by Robert Macfarlane - fascinating 🌿
Thank you. I'll look into that one.
Thank you!
Yep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIfWvIdJNz0
Thank you, Nancy. Though "The Overstory" was the third book by Richard Powers that I've read ("The Echo Maker" and "Bewilderment" were the others), this is the first time I've read or seen an interview with him. Enlightening to say the least.
In my long life, I've never encountered a writer like Powers, whose storytelling is so riveting, writing so beautiful, and research so illuminating. Not to mention characters that leap off the page.
Heather seems to launch her kayak into nature to escape from the pressures of documenting our travails and putting them into historical context. That was what the father and his very-troubled but brilliant son did in "Bewilderment."
We love the house and place we moved to 20 years ago. It might never have happened without three linden trees, 100 years old at the time. They were in the parking strip of the neighbors who live behind us here in Northeast Portland.
My wife and I had a printout of a flier for a house for sale a block away. We couldn't find it. I pulled over on a side street. I immediately smelled something intoxicating. I left the car and realized it was the massive trees overhead in bloom. Then I heard all the bees buzzing. We walked to the corner and saw a for sale sign in front of a house. Not the house we were looking for. An open house. We were the second visitors. The grand trees led us here, and the rest is history.
The neighbors have a photo of the trees when they were saplings and this was farmland, though now we're only a couple of miles from downtown. A few years ago, a huge branch fell from one of the trees. The entire tree had to be cut down. About 40 people turned out for a wake that our neighbors put on for the magnificent fallen creature. I've always been in awe of the lindens, but much more so now thanks to "The Overstory." Touching their bark invokes feelings and thoughts that only readers of the book will understand.
Ten years ago, we bought our home because I fell in love with a large Yoshino Cherry planted right behind it. It must have been planted by the original owner in the late 1980s and rivals the trees around the DC Tidal basin. I told my husband, a house can be built in a few months, but this tree is irreplaceable. Its blooms are breathtaking but the best part is standing under its branches when in full bloom. You do not just hear but can feel the collective hum and vibrations of thousands of bees in all the flowers. The vibrations travel through my body. Just amazing.
❤️❤️
Had a house on the outskirts of Houston that we bought for the huge trees with Spanish moss, so beautiful, every day…
You moved me so much with this share.
❤️❤️
Thank you Nancy.
Yes, and his more recent book "Bewilderment" was one I also loved.
I started Overstory last night! It’s wonderful. Thanks so much for the recommendations, y’all!
Thanks for the recommendation... I'll check it out!
I could not get through it. I could not get involved in it. I need human characters that I can relate to.
I can't recommend enough Stephen King's 11/22/1963. I LIVED that book. (Unlike his reputation this is not a horror book, although he does use it a little.) I read it three times, and then a fourth, for distraction, in November 2016.
For nature: Annie Proulx' article on swamps, and why they matter, in the July 4 NYer.
Thank you for the recommendation, David. I too, like to read fiction with relatable characters. It saddens me that you didn’t get through The Overstory. I listened to it on audible and found the characters compelling and relatable, especially when they became interconnected. Especially a curmudgeonly Vietnam Vet whose character grew into an activist for the old growth trees. Maybe you will give it another chance?
You're welcome Heather. I should add that there's a wonderful romance in 11/22/1963, and an amazing ending. And, King apparently did his research, talking to presidential scholars, studying up on Oswald's year or so in Dallas before the assassination, undoubtedly, among other things, reading Priscilla Johnson McMillan's Marina and Lee, a book that made clear to me that Oswald lacked the emotional intelligence to participate in a conspiracy--despite being considerably smarter and more capable than I'd ever imagined him to be--killing the notion that anyone else was involved in the assassination.
And somehow it filled in some blanks for me to find out exactly what happened when in Dallas that day. I was 10, in fifth grade, and we'd been let out at noon, as on all Fridays, and I'd gone to my then best friend's house to spend the night, and we became aware of the unfolding events fairly soon after I arrived at his house.
Loved that tale... Wonderfully written too.
And it’s on hoopla as an audiobook!
yes, phenomenal book!!
Ginny Michaux
Thank you
Absolutely
Such a wonderful read!!
Thanks for mentioning it...🌿
Currently in the middle of it. Such an interesting, gorgeous book!
Bery good book
Wrote this first in '96 to honor Judi Bari whose great mission was to save and protect the giant redwoods in Northern CA where I live:
"How do trees watch us?
With great sap-running
tender hearts
Greening our breath"
copyright 2022 Robin Birdfeather
Live this.
wow!
thanks ♡
Orwell too
“Paddling Inland”
Paddling inward, into the light
of who you say we are …
A copse of birches
mirrored in
glassy water,
polished by the sun.
Towering fresh green arms
reaching for opposites:
both the highest heavens
and the deepest depths
of the tranquil stream.
Perfectly reversed diplopia
of a blue-grey structure
imposing, yet not grandiose,
sturdy, yet not enduring
nestled in the
deep green woods
of where we are all
meant to be.
Rooted in perfection —
of what is optimum,
bounteous, and
beautiful.
There is always
the whisper of hope
In the blue
stepping stones of sky.
A perfect poem, Rowshan, capturing in words the essence of what Heather shared with her beautiful photo. I just suggested to Heather that she frame her photo and put your poem next to it.
Mary Oliver's work is exquisite.
This World
by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver
I would like to write a poem about the world that has in it
nothing fancy.
But it seems impossible.
Whatever the subject, the morning sun
glimmers it.
The tulip feels the heat and flaps its petals open and becomes a star.
The ants bore into the peony bud and there is a dark
pinprick well of sweetness.
As for the stones on the beach, forget it.
Each one could be set in gold.
So I tried with my eyes shut, but of course the birds
were singing.
And the aspen trees were shaking the sweetest music
out of their leaves.
And that was followed by, guess what, a momentous and
beautiful silence
as comes to all of us, in little earfuls, if we're not too
hurried to hear it.
As for spiders, how the dew hangs in their webs
even if they say nothing, or seem to say nothing.
So fancy is the world, who knows, maybe they sing.
So fancy is the world, who knows, maybe the stars sing too,
and the ants, and the peonies, and the warm stones,
so happy to be where they are, on the beach, instead of being
locked up in gold.
From: Why I Wake Earl
I wouldn’t deign to compete with the great Mary Oliver. My reflections are just quick musings — or studies, if you will — of photographs uploaded by HCR.
"Exquisite" is the perfect descriptor of Mary Oliver's work.
This was my thought exactly. Both should be saved and enjoyed for years to come when we forget that nature can bring a smile to our hearts and a peacefulness we sometimes need to find.
Thank you, Jeanne!
I just printed it and Rowshan's poem for myself. I have no wall space to hang them—I really don't— but they'll be with me in my home office now.
How kind of you, Mim! Thank you so much!
I breath the ´whisper of hope´
That’s the essence of life — breathe it deeply, Gailee.❤️
" In the blue
stepping stones of sky."
Wonderful! Took me back to the picture to look more deeply. Thank you!
Thank YOU for noticing.
Rowshan, it is, in itself, a reflection within a reflection on so many levels....that path of blue is a visual near/far, earth/cosmos, particular/universal....and, as HCR does over and over again in her writing, always fluidly connected.
As others here have suggested I hope Heather does frame her picture and your poem together!! Thanks to you both for my morning meditation!!
Thank you, Carol. I really appreciate your insights.
absolutely lovely poem! Thank you. And thank you HCR for all of your hard work and insights and history gathering. We so appreciate you!
Indeed, we do!
People are sharing poetry. It's that simple. Not a competition.
Thank you so much, Bruce. This is much needed.
Here is one from Wendell Berry. An old favorite.
The Peace of Wild Things
"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."
Oh. Thank you.
Bruce—a writing of profound wisdom and so applicable. Thank you!
The photo posted by Professor Richardson reminds me of a habit ingrained in me regarding journalism….always REFLECT what one reads with what one thinks and feels and experiences so that one can add to schema and move forward in real time. That is progress.
Beautiful entry, Michael.
Salud! 🗽
An interesting take from Lucian Truscott on his Substack. The engine is not merely idling in courts after the Supreme Court decisions last week. There is significant pushback. This article outlines already what NY is doing. Can it be a model for other states’ courts? Beating them at their own game. https://luciantruscott.substack.com/p/the-supreme-court-famously-does-not?r=l2aa7&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
My state is so deep in the red-conspiracy world, they 'support' everything that is happening.
This brought me some needed relief in tears. Thank you, Bruce.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Yes. And, 171 years ago, my friend Henry Thoreau wrote, "In Wildness is the preservation of the World." Henry was pure and prescient as well as being one of the greatest Americans.
It seriously does. I walk daily in the incredible natural parks that I live by. The woods. The birds. The waters. There is a tribute to Anne Frank at one of them where what was once the palace of Queen Maria Cristina and is now a culture center for peace.
Thank you Bruce, I needed that. I reached my lowest level last night, literally could not sleep. I feel like giving up. When the Supreme Court dismantles everything and the Republicans do nothing but lie, deflect and destroy the rule of law I really can't see any hope.
In the beginning years of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a School of the Prophets met regularly to review not only scriptures, but many topics, one of which was the Constitution of this great land. As prophets they foresaw the future and said a time would come that "the Constitution would hang by a thread". I've known of this my whole life and wondered what would occur in our country for this to happen. Well, we are seeing it, living it. All I have anymore is my faith. Praying for our country.
working / playing in my vegetable garden at daybreak does it for me. We’ve gotten to far away from the land
Thank you!
Sitting here in my quiet place, a space built with a broken back, and replenishing near the ashes and wildflower racing across our valley. Heather has to be exhausted and I am glad she found that idyllic stream and calm.
Oh my... thank you.
Thank you for this.
Beautiful photo. Thank you for everything you give us.
Take care of yourself = advice for all of us.
Sweet dreams, Heather, and thank you for your amazing letters. You give us hope.
As always, a great photo to accompany a great message.
We can't fight the battle if we suffer from constant battle fatigue.
May we all catch an extra 40 winks this weekend.
I think battle fatigue is part of their wicked plan.
Just gorgeous, the photo, and yes, I fully agree that all of this history in the making day after day is exhausting! Sleep well!
"May you live in *interesting* times" may not be an ancient Chinese curse, but it is still a curse.
Have a lovely 4th break. Please know how much we appreciate everything you do.
Marathon for sure...this week has been devastating! We all need to rest and renew continually for the long haul. TY so much Heather...and all of you, my fellow/sister travelers.
💕💕💕
Thank you Heather - this evening in particular, for articulating “how freaking exhausting it is to be living through this moment.”
In times past, when troubles came, we’d take for granted that our communities and nation would be there when we came up for air. And now...
The beautiful and bucolic photo from your kayak made me long for safe harbor.
Meanwhile, I trust Joe, Nancy and Chuck are paying close attention to what’s going on with the SCOTUS, and are planning a counter offensive. 🙏🏻
Three pairs of steady hands.
I sure hope so.
Indeed, quite a trying time if one is a believer and supporter of democracy and honest jurisprudence.
Nevertheless, please do rest and enjoy some good shut-eye; we need your acumen and reasoned perspective in fine form to give is sorely needed context and vision in this godawful mess. Cheers.
Exquisite serenity in this photo. Thank you for sharing. Sleep deep.. self care is so important these days!
Yes, self care is vital at all times and in all climes. It is especially important in these uber stressful days, weeks, months, years…und so weiter.
Hats off to you for your tireless dedication. You are a gem.
Exhausting is the word for it...emotionally exhausting and infuriating which is also exhausting.
Wishing you a good night sleep and sending gratitude for your commentary.
and by the way you are an excellent photographer. It is a crisp and serene photo, and love the colors.
A good photo to hold in mind as we navigate the supreme court decisions
Rest easy and well. Not sure I’d get through these days and weeks without your nightly grounding.
Strong honest exhausted 26 year old Cassidy Hutchinson Stuns With Testimony About Trump on Jan. 6 - trying to save us... meanwhile Black Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn by a weakened weak wimp pallid white Chief Justice John Roberts leading a rogue racist Supreme Court - and it’s clear that white racism - WHITE RACISM RULES - apply again and again in the land of Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis - with criminal former grifter in chief president Trump running to enrich himself - and most pampered Americans worried about the cost of gasoline.. not warming, and current history is recorded by the myopic for the myopic on TV with Michael Beschloss of the dyed hair and plagiarism flowing through every paragraph... and we are tired tonight.
Awe shucks. We are exhausted just warming and selling our words for millions as the poor starve and flee drought, war and rising crime and water...
Newspapers big and small are dying as Randal Smith is buying them to bankrupt them and liquidate their assets for profit and he calls himself a conservative Republican Trump loving patriot.. trained at Bear, Stearns .. under Cy Lewis - who came honest and died dishonest..
And we are tired. As the daily slaughter is recorded, and no one asks why those white boys kill and kill and kill - people of color, and white racist cops do the same.
And we are tired.
Yes, fucking tired.
One Art by Elizabeth Bishop comes to mind. How did she live? Die? How did her mother die?
Tired.
W. Mark Felt saved his nation and lost his wife. He died tired and alone. In tears. Smiling.
Suicide is rising. Suicide by cop is soaring.
No one asks why.
I shall.
Dan Rather's Steady post was equally harsh, a blunt review of where we have sunk to, as is yours Sandy.
https://steady.substack.com/p/a-hard-right-turn?r=elruf&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
For me, I feel over-informed and under-armed to cause change, the proverbial cow caught on the cow catcher of a coal fired piston driven train traveling back in time to a hot tired town in Southern Mississippi.
We all shall, but will any hear
All will hear...
❤️
Wow! Thank you.
Totally. Exhausting. I admire your ability to do the very hard work AND to take care of yourself so that you can sustain your effort over the long haul. But I guess that’s the secret sauce of being such a great historian!!!