I follow nature writing in the news, and saw an article in The Spectator today about Amanda Craig’s recent novel The Lie of the Land. The author of the article, Lauren Freeman, starts out with: I’ve diagnosed myself with early onset cottage-itis. It’s not supposed to happen for another decade, but at 29 I dream …
One week from today I will be greeting my family in open arms, and most of us will see each other for the entire week, wherein, despite foot problems I am bound to go to Turkey Run and hike. We’ve also been talking about a possible Lake Michigan Dunes trip. And I’ve been trying to …
Sometimes I miss the desert. I recall raw days full of clarity, where clouds shadowed hills with bold shapes moving ever so slowly over the hot landscape below. I remember endless, big stars hanging in a black night and how the hot Santa Ana winds made everything feel so alive and moving. I remember stepping …
Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice. -Robert Frost (“Fire and …
We have planned our first camping trip in early May, up near Powell River. We’ll be tent-camping along the creek, where it intersects with the ocean, and I’m really excited about it. The winter is long and full of ice, snow, and cold/flu season. For these reasons it has been hard to get out and …
The featured image is one I licensed through Can Stock Photo as a concept image for the novel I’m writing. I think once I can start running on the trail again, I will be inspired even more to write (since I get so many refreshing ideas when running!), but for now we have snowy sidewalks …
I know that I talk a lot about writing in here, but running gives me unending thoughts. This time of year, with its rain and windstorms and wildly blowing red and golden leaves, which dance in the air like wild fairies, has fueled my novel. I am up to chapter 7. If I didn’t work …
This morning I awoke to a cacophonous rain outside, wiping away our recent sun and flattening the leaves and pine needles onto the wood of the back deck. I stared at the rain dropping and making tiny puddles and then other drops splashing into those puddles. I felt longing, knowing I had to get out …
I am working on a eco-weird story, a new novel, but am finding a hard time to be able to really sit down and write. I’m up to chapter 4, though. As I noted earlier, part of it is set in Ireland, and it helped very much to go there and see some of the …
I feel like a blogging fool this week, but it has been an active couple weeks running and hiking. All this activity sets my mind afire. So today my I am full of things I’ve read, seen, and experienced. What better way to get it all out than with a thought collage. “We strive to …