You have expertly wielded the essay form to hold the wildness and freedom found in this piece -- a reminder that it takes careful crafting and the discipline of structure to get there. A true pleasure to read this one.
My head can barely contain all the complexity sprouting here! It's gorgeous too! I love your writings that reflect on how something has been with you over time & stages of life... In this case, the woods was there for you as you at an age where you were shedding some childhood innocence. Then again as a touchstone in your twenties as a way to ground back to true self/north star. Then again in motherhood but with more layers and reflection. What remains consistent about the woods is how it helps sharpen instincts and maybe even intuition. So much complexity and deep ideas here and so lovely to end with a laugh! Thank you for this!
I've never thought of the woods specifically that way, but you are exactly right: instincts and intuition. You putting it that way makes the urgency feel even more meaningful. I have to go there to hold onto myself. Thank you, as always, for reflecting things back to me with perfect clarity. You help me understand myself more.
would love to try to participate in the book club talk! but not sure i'll be done with it by then. i'm in the middle of Dream Count and haven't started yet. I'll cross my fingers for a replay and watch then if possible. happy reading :)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah I read this with one hand over my eyes and peaking out. I have such a weak stomach and such a wild imagination, but lately I have been drawn to the wilderness in all its disgustingness.
The disgustingness of the wilderness is so relieving and so clear. No hypocrisy. No gaslighting or lies. Nothing like the perversions we humans pursue in the name of civility.
You are a great teacher Isabel, showing us how to catch our sneaky hypocrisies as they are showing up. Nice work keeping the important things front and center as you wrangle your herd of boys!
this is a balancing act Dillard would deeply appreciate... i can hear her "Stone" talking even as it apprehends instinctively there is no adequate language for some things 🤗
Thank you for this! Praying for my kids to always wonder and have time for themselves….it is the key to everything- whether in these woods you describe or anywhere they can find peace 🙏
“In the woods we return to reason and to faith “ Emerson
I love that.
This essay leaves me dumbfounded in its beauty. Thank you, Isabel, for sharing it here. xo
Oh my gosh, Val. This comment does the same for me.
Beautiful and disgusting. Cruelty as the waste of pain!
She's so good.
You have expertly wielded the essay form to hold the wildness and freedom found in this piece -- a reminder that it takes careful crafting and the discipline of structure to get there. A true pleasure to read this one.
Oh my gosh, Stephanie. What a generous way of seeing it. Thank you!
Thank you so much for reminding me of Annie Dillard today. And the Rothko Chapel in my hometown.
Two of the very best. I was lucky to find them!
Bruce: the wandering mystic.
You know it.
I love how unbothered young kids are before they become too cautious and just how willing they are to try new things and explore everything!
We gotta seize that time!! It passes fast.
My head can barely contain all the complexity sprouting here! It's gorgeous too! I love your writings that reflect on how something has been with you over time & stages of life... In this case, the woods was there for you as you at an age where you were shedding some childhood innocence. Then again as a touchstone in your twenties as a way to ground back to true self/north star. Then again in motherhood but with more layers and reflection. What remains consistent about the woods is how it helps sharpen instincts and maybe even intuition. So much complexity and deep ideas here and so lovely to end with a laugh! Thank you for this!
I've never thought of the woods specifically that way, but you are exactly right: instincts and intuition. You putting it that way makes the urgency feel even more meaningful. I have to go there to hold onto myself. Thank you, as always, for reflecting things back to me with perfect clarity. You help me understand myself more.
would love to try to participate in the book club talk! but not sure i'll be done with it by then. i'm in the middle of Dream Count and haven't started yet. I'll cross my fingers for a replay and watch then if possible. happy reading :)
If you're finished, please come!!
Ug I adore this. It’s inflamed my least quenched longings and only real mom guilt. We need to get real outdoors!
Thank you for the reminder to make this a damn priority 💞
I think this is why I love your writing so much. Let's not forget we're animals.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah I read this with one hand over my eyes and peaking out. I have such a weak stomach and such a wild imagination, but lately I have been drawn to the wilderness in all its disgustingness.
The disgustingness of the wilderness is so relieving and so clear. No hypocrisy. No gaslighting or lies. Nothing like the perversions we humans pursue in the name of civility.
The hypocrisy of doing these things in the name of civility is almost the most infuriating part.
You are a great teacher Isabel, showing us how to catch our sneaky hypocrisies as they are showing up. Nice work keeping the important things front and center as you wrangle your herd of boys!
Hehe, yes. THEY are my greatest teachers :) Nobody shines a light on your hypocrisies quite like your kids.
this is a balancing act Dillard would deeply appreciate... i can hear her "Stone" talking even as it apprehends instinctively there is no adequate language for some things 🤗
Yes, indeed. And the second we impose words, we dim the magic.
LOL is about sweet Bruce- your writing makes the whole moment so vivid and imaginable….
Hehehe thank you :)
LOL
Thank you for this! Praying for my kids to always wonder and have time for themselves….it is the key to everything- whether in these woods you describe or anywhere they can find peace 🙏
It's true--woods were my playground, but there are so many places we can get lost to find ourselves.
Stunning!
I picked up Women Who Run With Wolves again last night, about to set off on a real tear...
Yassssss that book changed lives! I should pick that one up again thanks for the reminder!!!
“He turned and toddled on…”
I love him.
I love you.
Book discussion, please🫶🏼📕🫶🏼
YAY!!!!
I ordered the book yesterday.🩷