This post came at exactly the right time for me, as I think about community and how to build it in a small-ish town, and as I read interesting books and articles and think a lot about them but have not yet found a way to invite others into the messiness of my headspace as I process them. I don’t know the solution but at least it feels good to know I’m not alone. Now…can we talk muskrats? We were so excited when one showed up in our pond this spring. Then another. It turns out muskrats are prolific breeders and we now have as many as a dozen, which is, cuteness aside, about ten too many.
I don’t know the solution, either, Kate. I started a “salon” amongst a small group of friends, where we pick some topic and get together and talk about it. Not a whole book, as that seems like a big ask nowadays. It’s nice, but I admit I crave more. More conversations about the messiness of my headspace, which my husband can only take so much of. I guess it’s part of why I write here—to get it all out.
You have a muskrat invasion! A muskrat explosion! I guess there really can be too much of any good thing, even muskrats.
Thanks for another beautiful essay. Interestingly I have been listening to Baez every night before bed. And thanks for the reminder about your List. I went back and reread. I love a list like that where I get to check in and congratulate myself for the ways I am following it.
You’re welcome, Daniel.
I met Joan Baez and think she may have a good idea. Would love to have a conversation with you neighbor. Let’s take a walk along the river together 😊
Yes, let’s do it, Gerry!
This post came at exactly the right time for me, as I think about community and how to build it in a small-ish town, and as I read interesting books and articles and think a lot about them but have not yet found a way to invite others into the messiness of my headspace as I process them. I don’t know the solution but at least it feels good to know I’m not alone. Now…can we talk muskrats? We were so excited when one showed up in our pond this spring. Then another. It turns out muskrats are prolific breeders and we now have as many as a dozen, which is, cuteness aside, about ten too many.
I don’t know the solution, either, Kate. I started a “salon” amongst a small group of friends, where we pick some topic and get together and talk about it. Not a whole book, as that seems like a big ask nowadays. It’s nice, but I admit I crave more. More conversations about the messiness of my headspace, which my husband can only take so much of. I guess it’s part of why I write here—to get it all out.
You have a muskrat invasion! A muskrat explosion! I guess there really can be too much of any good thing, even muskrats.
Thanks for another beautiful essay. Interestingly I have been listening to Baez every night before bed. And thanks for the reminder about your List. I went back and reread. I love a list like that where I get to check in and congratulate myself for the ways I am following it.
Yes, Baez is having a bit of a comeback moment, I guess, which is awesome for her. She’s 83! Never too late!
You’re right about muskrats. And everything.
Thanks, Alexandyr! Being right about muskrats is the important part.