issue 49

Comments

[Karen Wielinski]

I know exactly what you mean, "You get used to living alone, even when at first you worry that you'll hate it." Having Jill home is great, but it's been an adjustment. I now have to let someone know what I plan on doing, and writing is a bit more difficult with 3 cats and a dog wanting attention when I'm on the computer! I'm also going to remember about the Eskimos going for a walk and taking a stick to mark when "anger or anxiety is conquered." I find walking usually help those "downer" moments!

[Dave Trageser]

Nice story, Rick. Hamburg fuzz - always a problem.
Kateri - thanks for the tip on the New Yorker magazines!

[dori]

Another wonderful issue, Kateri. Once again the topic struck a nerve with me. My walks into the woods at my farm were the firt introduction to spirituality. They were to me, what church never was. Power walking became my exercise of choice for many years, and whatever had been bothering me or on my mind, was most often resolved or made peace with by the time I returned. Thanks for reminding me that I need to take more walks, power or otherwise.
I loved Rick Ohler's story too. His musings always make me smile and remember how lucky I am to have grown up before technology ruled our lives.

[Richard Minich]

Are you familiar with the Iroquois concept of an oyaron- an animal that is your spirit guide. It can be the same as your clan animal or different. Some of my characters oyarons- Moses X Snow has the heron, Joe Gaspe the hawk, Joseph Buck Brant the Rraven. If your oyaron crosses your path be alert for good fortune. When I wasn't saddled with a job for awhile I took a long walk with the dogs every morning thought about stuff, built a fire in my imagination, and wrote like a fiend after the walk until the blast from the furnace went out. Got a lot done that way.

[Rita E Cupples]

Great issue Kateri. All of it! I love the barns and how you've captured the snow. And walking? It's something I crave at times but it seems I can't go about it lesurely. One foot in front of the other just fuels a steady clip;never a run though.

[Mama]

I think I will enjoy this issue over and over. I know what you mean about wearing clothes until the fabric wears so thin it almost disintegrates. I do the same thing. Being a minimalist, I love and enjoy wearing the same white t-shirt, white jeans, and white socks all week long. Yes, of course I wash them at least every other day. That is why they are full of holes. I panic when I have to buy something new. Will it feel good, look ok, that's money spent that I really need for something else. So it goes. But, I never have to think about what I am going to wear. It's my uniform, if you please. I placed myself at every barn you photographed. Such stories each one could tell. But, Rick's contribution, how ingenious is his writing I ask??? I know, it just comes naturally to him. I can believe that. His writing is like a puzzle, each piece has to fit perfectly. Does he always have voices in his head??? As always, thankful for Thankful. You will be hard at work, creating a new NEST for us tomorrow. It will have to wait until Monday, I am one of those consumed with Super Bowl Sunday. But then, I have something to look forward to in my long week ahead of no work. Amen.

[kateri]

Once again, thank you everyone for your wonderful comments.

@Karen, if you ever want to ramble the fields with me, we can each bring sticks ;)

@Dave, it's a pretty remarkable resource. I'll take you there when you come home again.

@Dori, I know your farm walks are vital to you. And I know what you mean by "They were to me, what church never was." I know it's not the same as your farm, but if you don't mind not power walking you can always join me at the farm next door. :)

@Richard, I don't know if I have heard of that exact example of spirit animals, but I have heard of them and have also done some reading on them. You are always such a wealth of interesting things!

@Rita, thank you. And I get the not going about leisurely. I just can't seem to do that. I've tried!

@Mama, I cannot imagine ever wearing white! loll But I know how you wear things out, too. And yes, Rick's stories are always wonderful. I'm really blessed to have them in the Nest!