Hey Bill - coincidentally we are in the throes of "managing" beavers on our property - they are damming the culvert under our driveway. In the past a device called a "beaver deceiver" kept them from doing so, but the recent floods changed everything, including washing out the dam that was holding the main pond that has been here for decades. Even their lodge got washed out. They are contending with the weather, as are we... Community is key as you say - and must extend to the nonhuman family of life.
Thanks again, Bill. Here in Portland we had our most recent "smoke season", and, while relatively short this time (so far), has become a clear addition to the lexicon of weather conversation. There are, in fact, so many of us who have been beavering away, creating political and cultural spaces for the new to emerge. Deeply grateful to you and so many others who have led and increased this community. Right now, I am particularly appreciating Rebecca Solnit's work on Radical Uncertainty as a touchstone for moving forward, and wrote a small piece on that idea myself, if anyone is interested. Take care, walk in the woods, and let's grow those rich, damp spaces of emergence in the emergency. https://barbaraford.substack.com/p/the-empty-bowl
I'm from the Seattle/Tacoma area, with many relatives in Portland and surrounding areas. It's not only "smoke season," which didn't exist a few years ago, but the removal of snow and ice from the flanks of Mr. Hood and Mt. Rainier that hurts perhaps the worse. I wrote about it in Medium.com. Right now, I'm debating between Substack and Patreon (leaning hard toward the latter). What are your thoughts?
I think both are great. I'm less interested in seeking income for my work, just wanted to land somewhere where I can combine the creative modalities (essay, poetry, visual art) in a way that feels more like me, though I can see the possibilities on Patreon as well, I guess. I left Medium because the terms and conditions felt more limiting, though they did pay me for an article once! I assume that Patreon is more geared toward monitization, but I may be wrong.
Same, I also play violin and am interested in podcasting, to compliment my work. I write fiction prose and narrative non-fiction. I do want to get paid. I'm pushing 40 and have written for free or little for most of my 20 years of writing. I've been on Medium, but have seen very little return, in both pay and exposure. I have friends on both platforms. One has a book, well, basically all of them, and I don't have that yet. My email is on my Medium account as "Tiffany Elliott" (I'm getting divorced, Elliott's my spouses name), feel free to reach out.
Best of luck. I'm 66, luckily not needing the income, but definitely support your efforts to get paid. Considering a book project, but apparently not yet motivated to seriously get it going, lol.
Thanks. I have a few friends your age. I admire your wisdom, and see your best days are still ahead. I have a friend a year older than you thinking about his legacy. Natural, but still, I see her still has plenty to offer. I see you the same way.
I appreciate SO MUCH your beavering away, Bill. In my life you're a touchstone for sanity. I can't imagine trying to navigate these years without your steadfast and insightful commentary. You restore my faith in the power of truth, daily. All blessings and love to you.
Thank you for everything you do. You are an inspiration, and the voice in my head that prompts me to reduce my own footprint, to write in the comments sections in the NY Times, and (even) to become a citizen so I can vote in the US. I appreciate your tenacity and civility, but also your willingness to fight hard. I am truly grateful.
So good to see that beech tree accompanying us all into our next season of life on planet earth. This IS hopeful and brings a smile, too! Thank you for your truth telling -- and for continuing to walk in the forest!
Thank you for a Pearl of hope and good vibes as I sit here breathing unhealthy air in southern Oregon! It is the hard work of people like you and so many others that inspires me to soldier on!
Dear Bill, your newsletters are essential reading in these times, whether urgent truth or a flash of beauty. The story of the beech is very moving. Enormous and endless appreciation for all your beavering, energy, wisdom, and emotional stamina. And yes, we have to pull out all the stops.
You simply must take the time periodically to revel in the natural world that you are working so hard to try to save. I so appreciate everything that you do. ( as long as, during an election season, you always preface your criticism of what the Democrats are doing with the reminder that the Republican approach is a COMPLETE disaster in this arena).
This reference to community brings tears to my eyes as that piece is essential for survival of our fragile 🌎. I’ve read that “belonging” is part of what enamors the cult of Trump to him; not to raise that Ugly name in this sacred place. But an understanding of that function at least explains the phenomenon although I believe it is futile to change their allegiances or votes. We must with great vigor expand our own productive and loving community here and in our hometowns. For the beauty of the Beech, the Adirondacks, our nation, and the planet 🌎.
"You get nothing extra, not even a t-shirt." I can't even count the extra things we get from you, namely that you always invite us along these adventures and that you endeavor to always keep learning yourself and teaching us to keep learning too. I'm so grateful for your example and faithfulness, especially these days.
- From your very faithful reader in the Adirondacks
Vacation! Yes!! Oh Bill, I am so happy for your beech and all that means to you and the Earth. We have American Chestnuts in our just about suburban yard- and they faithfully make tasty nuts, and from those nuts trees grow, and you just don't know how majestic they will become. Thank you for beavering on, it means so much to me. Cheers, Alisa
Hey Bill - coincidentally we are in the throes of "managing" beavers on our property - they are damming the culvert under our driveway. In the past a device called a "beaver deceiver" kept them from doing so, but the recent floods changed everything, including washing out the dam that was holding the main pond that has been here for decades. Even their lodge got washed out. They are contending with the weather, as are we... Community is key as you say - and must extend to the nonhuman family of life.
Thanks again, Bill. Here in Portland we had our most recent "smoke season", and, while relatively short this time (so far), has become a clear addition to the lexicon of weather conversation. There are, in fact, so many of us who have been beavering away, creating political and cultural spaces for the new to emerge. Deeply grateful to you and so many others who have led and increased this community. Right now, I am particularly appreciating Rebecca Solnit's work on Radical Uncertainty as a touchstone for moving forward, and wrote a small piece on that idea myself, if anyone is interested. Take care, walk in the woods, and let's grow those rich, damp spaces of emergence in the emergency. https://barbaraford.substack.com/p/the-empty-bowl
I'm from the Seattle/Tacoma area, with many relatives in Portland and surrounding areas. It's not only "smoke season," which didn't exist a few years ago, but the removal of snow and ice from the flanks of Mr. Hood and Mt. Rainier that hurts perhaps the worse. I wrote about it in Medium.com. Right now, I'm debating between Substack and Patreon (leaning hard toward the latter). What are your thoughts?
I think both are great. I'm less interested in seeking income for my work, just wanted to land somewhere where I can combine the creative modalities (essay, poetry, visual art) in a way that feels more like me, though I can see the possibilities on Patreon as well, I guess. I left Medium because the terms and conditions felt more limiting, though they did pay me for an article once! I assume that Patreon is more geared toward monitization, but I may be wrong.
Same, I also play violin and am interested in podcasting, to compliment my work. I write fiction prose and narrative non-fiction. I do want to get paid. I'm pushing 40 and have written for free or little for most of my 20 years of writing. I've been on Medium, but have seen very little return, in both pay and exposure. I have friends on both platforms. One has a book, well, basically all of them, and I don't have that yet. My email is on my Medium account as "Tiffany Elliott" (I'm getting divorced, Elliott's my spouses name), feel free to reach out.
Substack and Patreon.
Best of luck. I'm 66, luckily not needing the income, but definitely support your efforts to get paid. Considering a book project, but apparently not yet motivated to seriously get it going, lol.
Thanks. I have a few friends your age. I admire your wisdom, and see your best days are still ahead. I have a friend a year older than you thinking about his legacy. Natural, but still, I see her still has plenty to offer. I see you the same way.
I appreciate SO MUCH your beavering away, Bill. In my life you're a touchstone for sanity. I can't imagine trying to navigate these years without your steadfast and insightful commentary. You restore my faith in the power of truth, daily. All blessings and love to you.
Thank you for everything you do. You are an inspiration, and the voice in my head that prompts me to reduce my own footprint, to write in the comments sections in the NY Times, and (even) to become a citizen so I can vote in the US. I appreciate your tenacity and civility, but also your willingness to fight hard. I am truly grateful.
So good to see that beech tree accompanying us all into our next season of life on planet earth. This IS hopeful and brings a smile, too! Thank you for your truth telling -- and for continuing to walk in the forest!
Thank you for a Pearl of hope and good vibes as I sit here breathing unhealthy air in southern Oregon! It is the hard work of people like you and so many others that inspires me to soldier on!
Gotta savor what we're saving :)
Dear Bill, your newsletters are essential reading in these times, whether urgent truth or a flash of beauty. The story of the beech is very moving. Enormous and endless appreciation for all your beavering, energy, wisdom, and emotional stamina. And yes, we have to pull out all the stops.
You simply must take the time periodically to revel in the natural world that you are working so hard to try to save. I so appreciate everything that you do. ( as long as, during an election season, you always preface your criticism of what the Democrats are doing with the reminder that the Republican approach is a COMPLETE disaster in this arena).
Oh, and I would really like a T-shirt.
Amy Aquino, HR '79.
No need to apologize for your sojourn into the woods, Bill.
A wise old woman once told me: In order to be an environmentalist you need to do 3 things:
1.) Do the work!
2.) Create community
3.) Touch nature.
You have been touching nature this week. Very important in order to carry on!
In solidarity, Claire Schoen
Thank you for all you do, Bill. It is hard to describe how valuable your insights, tireless effort, and humor mean all of us. Dam(n)...
This reference to community brings tears to my eyes as that piece is essential for survival of our fragile 🌎. I’ve read that “belonging” is part of what enamors the cult of Trump to him; not to raise that Ugly name in this sacred place. But an understanding of that function at least explains the phenomenon although I believe it is futile to change their allegiances or votes. We must with great vigor expand our own productive and loving community here and in our hometowns. For the beauty of the Beech, the Adirondacks, our nation, and the planet 🌎.
"You get nothing extra, not even a t-shirt." I can't even count the extra things we get from you, namely that you always invite us along these adventures and that you endeavor to always keep learning yourself and teaching us to keep learning too. I'm so grateful for your example and faithfulness, especially these days.
- From your very faithful reader in the Adirondacks
Vacation! Yes!! Oh Bill, I am so happy for your beech and all that means to you and the Earth. We have American Chestnuts in our just about suburban yard- and they faithfully make tasty nuts, and from those nuts trees grow, and you just don't know how majestic they will become. Thank you for beavering on, it means so much to me. Cheers, Alisa
Thank you for creating this community and for providing these mountains of truth and glimpses of hope!
love this!!! so grateful for you and all your work.