Oh thank you so much Linda! 'Extraordinary' means a huge amount: what a gift. I imagine Canada and California to be very different indeed and of course Barry Lopez reflects on that too having known both. Both wild in their own ways perhaps?
I first read Arctic Dreams in college and Lopez’s description of prehistoric Inuit art found in burial sites has stayed with me all these years. Eerie and otherworldly, to my young mind, and in such a delightful and world-expanding way. Your essay here captured a bit of that wonder for the Arctic I remember feeling after reading his work. Thank you.
I read this while rubbing my feet, which are sore after a six mile walk through my own snowy woods today - not as cold, not as much snow, but I loved reading your words alongside my own quiet walk. Beautiful reflection, thank you. 🤍
Thank you so much for sharing. I feel I am back there with you. I have many photos of footprints paw prints wondering who goes there?. I also feel the need to read Barry Lopez. I have read many books recently about snow, ice, adventures and Greenland. I shall add him to my list. Yesterday I was going to write a love letter to Finland. It didn't happen. I think perhaps you have inspired me. 🩵
Thank you do much Lyn. I wondered how you were getting on with your trip! I would love to read your love letter. Please write it! (And then let me know 🤣 in case I miss it in the busy crowded world!) I would love to hear about your love too xx
Beautiful. I like the idea of companion reading of Lopez alongside your own reflections of being in that place. I read the book in a damp winter here in Devon and the Arctic remained a totally abstract concept for me, but I felt your words, felt the cold, the exclusion, the inability to get close.
Thank you Lynne, what lovely feedback. Yes the first time I read arctic dreams it was totally the wrong time and I didn't feel into it nearly as much. Then I have dipped in, twice closer to his arctic and it has transformed. So strange.
Ruth, your words your words - I shivered reading them, from the cold, from the loss, from the adventure ❄️🙏🏻
Thank you, thank you Stella! So many for one morning too, so thank YOU! xxx
Extraordinary writing. I left Canada for California many years ago but your words brought me instantly back to my childhood.
Oh thank you so much Linda! 'Extraordinary' means a huge amount: what a gift. I imagine Canada and California to be very different indeed and of course Barry Lopez reflects on that too having known both. Both wild in their own ways perhaps?
I first read Arctic Dreams in college and Lopez’s description of prehistoric Inuit art found in burial sites has stayed with me all these years. Eerie and otherworldly, to my young mind, and in such a delightful and world-expanding way. Your essay here captured a bit of that wonder for the Arctic I remember feeling after reading his work. Thank you.
Oh thank you Rebecca. That means a lot. Yes, his words stay with you I think. He has a singular sort of way of being in his writing.
I read this while rubbing my feet, which are sore after a six mile walk through my own snowy woods today - not as cold, not as much snow, but I loved reading your words alongside my own quiet walk. Beautiful reflection, thank you. 🤍
Thank you Lindsey, I hope your feet are recovered now and it was a lovely walk :)
I saw my first black woodpecker in Austria last year. So noisy and so beautiful, I named him
Wood punk. Xx
Aww good name!! They're considerably larger than most woodpeckers aren't they! Xx
Like a chicken! X
Thank you so much for sharing. I feel I am back there with you. I have many photos of footprints paw prints wondering who goes there?. I also feel the need to read Barry Lopez. I have read many books recently about snow, ice, adventures and Greenland. I shall add him to my list. Yesterday I was going to write a love letter to Finland. It didn't happen. I think perhaps you have inspired me. 🩵
Thank you do much Lyn. I wondered how you were getting on with your trip! I would love to read your love letter. Please write it! (And then let me know 🤣 in case I miss it in the busy crowded world!) I would love to hear about your love too xx
Done. Thank you xx
Wonderful. I have saved it for my tea break later :)
Thank you for sharing your beautifully atmospheric words and images Ruth.
Thank you Kate :) 🧡
Beautiful. I like the idea of companion reading of Lopez alongside your own reflections of being in that place. I read the book in a damp winter here in Devon and the Arctic remained a totally abstract concept for me, but I felt your words, felt the cold, the exclusion, the inability to get close.
Thank you Lynne, what lovely feedback. Yes the first time I read arctic dreams it was totally the wrong time and I didn't feel into it nearly as much. Then I have dipped in, twice closer to his arctic and it has transformed. So strange.