Beautifully written, Ken. As the fireworks go on all around me in my neighborhood in Tucson tonight, loud as a full-on war zone, I have mixed feelings as well.
“Rain is a holy thing in the desert. The desert raises water to the level of a sacrament, blessed by wind and the bone dust of those who have come and never left, those who have knelt and wet their brows with water enough for two fingers.”
This quote, Ken is profoundly beautiful. It has that same essence and feel of one that I keep close, and have read often over the years ;
“Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.I am haunted by waters.”
(Norman Maclean~ A River Runs Through It)
And the Hermit Thrush Lookout, finally gets a true christening .Lucifer the “light bringer” and supposed fallen angel ,now the bringer of rain. Along with the magnificent Violet -Crowned . The new harbinger of the season. We’ll see if the pattern repeats itself next year . Stunning writing , Ken, I think my favorite of yours.
I couldn’t help but think of this old video, so I went looking for it. Different surroundings by far, most inappropriate attire, but nevertheless;
I hope you, clad in your pjs, did something similar.
Yep, that's me, doing the rain dance so many of us do here (true desert people always run outside when it rains). No singing though...at least not like Gene Kelly...
You are too kind, Lor. Nice to be in the same company with Norman Maclean! I love that passage too. Years ago, while learning to fly fish on the Bitterroot River, Karen was reading his book on the banks and making comments about my technique...she wasn't impressed. So happy you are enjoying my writing!
Your first rain in the new writing perch! Yay for the arrival of the monsoons, and for gorgeous violet-crowned hummingbirds. Also for writing groups that are fortunate enough to work with you. Blow some of that rain north, please. We are desperately dry here: streamflows at less than a third of normal and dwindling fast.... I purely hate climate change. (And I am glad you're getting rain.)
Ken, I ran across your story in the 1999 Alligator Juniper journal today and enjoyed it. Weeds! I taught at Prescott College for 27 years, so we have some friends in common. I've read a number of your works and know Jessica. Also following your birding adventures. Cheers, Walt
Wow, Walt, that one from AJ goes way back to the beginning...before my first book, Wilderness and Razor Wire (where it became a chapter). So glad you enjoyed it--I believe it was part of a writing contest for the journal, one that first connected me to the awesome writer Bob Pyle. Memories. So wonderful you know my eldest daughter! She still keeps me in my place, as all daughters should! Thanks for reading.
Yes, it's funny how these things happen. I had a copy of that issue way back in 1999 but was too busy teaching at PC to read it then. Now I rediscovered the issue. Yes, Bob Pyle is awesome, indeed. Enjoy your lovely place in the woods!
I find this to be a very sad day. Just can't wrap my mind around what's happening. Your beautiful photos did distract me for a while. Thanks.
We keep saying the same thing--something like I don't get it... But we do have the birds to distract us...at least for now.
Beautifully written, Ken. As the fireworks go on all around me in my neighborhood in Tucson tonight, loud as a full-on war zone, I have mixed feelings as well.
Thank you, Val--as is your gorgeous writing. Looking forward to more amazing words...
“Rain is a holy thing in the desert. The desert raises water to the level of a sacrament, blessed by wind and the bone dust of those who have come and never left, those who have knelt and wet their brows with water enough for two fingers.”
This quote, Ken is profoundly beautiful. It has that same essence and feel of one that I keep close, and have read often over the years ;
“Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.I am haunted by waters.”
(Norman Maclean~ A River Runs Through It)
And the Hermit Thrush Lookout, finally gets a true christening .Lucifer the “light bringer” and supposed fallen angel ,now the bringer of rain. Along with the magnificent Violet -Crowned . The new harbinger of the season. We’ll see if the pattern repeats itself next year . Stunning writing , Ken, I think my favorite of yours.
I couldn’t help but think of this old video, so I went looking for it. Different surroundings by far, most inappropriate attire, but nevertheless;
I hope you, clad in your pjs, did something similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swloMVFALXw
Yep, that's me, doing the rain dance so many of us do here (true desert people always run outside when it rains). No singing though...at least not like Gene Kelly...
You are too kind, Lor. Nice to be in the same company with Norman Maclean! I love that passage too. Years ago, while learning to fly fish on the Bitterroot River, Karen was reading his book on the banks and making comments about my technique...she wasn't impressed. So happy you are enjoying my writing!
AMEN.....Love the Hummer Pictures btw!!! and....listening to the peaceful sound of nature (rain)
I was hoping to capture some thunder...maybe soon! Thanks Skip!
Lovely.
Your first rain in the new writing perch! Yay for the arrival of the monsoons, and for gorgeous violet-crowned hummingbirds. Also for writing groups that are fortunate enough to work with you. Blow some of that rain north, please. We are desperately dry here: streamflows at less than a third of normal and dwindling fast.... I purely hate climate change. (And I am glad you're getting rain.)
Sending rain and love your way, Susan! Hope comes with the monsoon...
Thanks, Ken! The love is always welcome, and we need the hope and the monsoons just as much. :)
Ken, I ran across your story in the 1999 Alligator Juniper journal today and enjoyed it. Weeds! I taught at Prescott College for 27 years, so we have some friends in common. I've read a number of your works and know Jessica. Also following your birding adventures. Cheers, Walt
Wow, Walt, that one from AJ goes way back to the beginning...before my first book, Wilderness and Razor Wire (where it became a chapter). So glad you enjoyed it--I believe it was part of a writing contest for the journal, one that first connected me to the awesome writer Bob Pyle. Memories. So wonderful you know my eldest daughter! She still keeps me in my place, as all daughters should! Thanks for reading.
Yes, it's funny how these things happen. I had a copy of that issue way back in 1999 but was too busy teaching at PC to read it then. Now I rediscovered the issue. Yes, Bob Pyle is awesome, indeed. Enjoy your lovely place in the woods!