Stone trees, flame trees, Gaia theory and bone writing, a bird to break your heart and the most powerful sentence we have… flashes of life in the undergrowth, a distant song on the wind; teasers for future conversations! Thank you Peter, I look forward to the unfurling of many more stories to connect and inspire.
And more. I hadn't known the full meaning and origin of 'weasel words', and my curiosity was piqued to enquire. Clever weasel is thought to be able to suck the tasty innards of an egg for his lunch, leaving an intact shell that belies its emptiness. May the Nest hold and protect the embryos of meaning-rich language, living ideas as they grow, spread wings and fly.
In my enthusiasm to write up the reply below (my first one vanished), I forgot to introduce you to Treava, also... Below. She's just starting her own newsletter and by her own account is she is a bird crazy woodland boho who loves to be graciously all consumed by creativity. So, well worth knowing and keeping an eye on her all-consuming crazy woodland creativity...
Ah, serious thankyou. Funny, the humanity of it, not sure how this random piece of writing in the universe will be received, but throwing stuff in nevertheless. Your highlights of 'future storeis' that grabbed your attention is a balm for standard writing anxiety: those were the bits I loved adding in, and also because it organically formed a template style that I really enjoyed - just adding bits as they came (my mind sparks and jumps around) onto the end in their own section; a non-linear net that can catch thoughts and ideas. And though I love writing, I love teaching at least equally as much, so the Editing Notes was exciting too - especially since I keep noting the editing I'm doing as I'm going, so it gets it out of my head.
The weasel research! You've gifted me with new knowledge and insight, and that's pretty precious. And that last line is a prayer, which I have taken to heart.
You know what? Getting started on these newsletters is huge: is it perfect enough? Have I been silly and started down the wrong path? There's so much to say - how to do it and be coherent. How to find the time. As I said to Belinda, this second one has started to bring together ways of structure and focus. BUT what really has kicked into gear the energy to tackle number 3, and further practice and refine the message and style and joy, is your three word super boost. Belinda's helped me feel good about The Fox story, and you pushed me along with an "Okay, keep going." I seem to be learning that the Letter's true "voice" is coming together as it walks. And I love that you'll be doing behind the scenes stuff, I think that helps alot. Support back atcha.
I am glad to have found your work, and just down from a night on the hill showered by shooting stars. I will gladly follow along as you ask language to stretch back toward the wild. With care, Adam
So much I love this Peter! I connected with your angst in Substack writers at work...hoping you found the lost note that was a breadcrumb back to your center...And of the fox...the indigenous concept of having responsibilities in society, more so than the " rights" we have learned to loudly demand that the world and others provide for us. I live in a metropolitan area but have an intense need for nature, am forever having to navigate who " owns" the strip of grass or stand of trees I've found to sit under....I get run off quite alot, property owners fear drug users and homeless people who take refuge in nature. Anyway, I connect with your writing, and find that primal somatic work which is healing my cptsd has greatly escalated my ability to feel what animals, trees, and plants are thinking. As a former mental health counselor who had a dramatic awakening a few years ago, I'm experiencing a schism of the rational, scientifically mind and this new part that I've gotten access to, where I can experience myself as moss growing on a forest floor, and feel my interconnection with the ecosystem in a visceral way. Nice to meet a fellow traveler on the path....long winding spiral back to the center of ourselves. 🙂
Stone trees, flame trees, Gaia theory and bone writing, a bird to break your heart and the most powerful sentence we have… flashes of life in the undergrowth, a distant song on the wind; teasers for future conversations! Thank you Peter, I look forward to the unfurling of many more stories to connect and inspire.
And more. I hadn't known the full meaning and origin of 'weasel words', and my curiosity was piqued to enquire. Clever weasel is thought to be able to suck the tasty innards of an egg for his lunch, leaving an intact shell that belies its emptiness. May the Nest hold and protect the embryos of meaning-rich language, living ideas as they grow, spread wings and fly.
In my enthusiasm to write up the reply below (my first one vanished), I forgot to introduce you to Treava, also... Below. She's just starting her own newsletter and by her own account is she is a bird crazy woodland boho who loves to be graciously all consumed by creativity. So, well worth knowing and keeping an eye on her all-consuming crazy woodland creativity...
Ah, serious thankyou. Funny, the humanity of it, not sure how this random piece of writing in the universe will be received, but throwing stuff in nevertheless. Your highlights of 'future storeis' that grabbed your attention is a balm for standard writing anxiety: those were the bits I loved adding in, and also because it organically formed a template style that I really enjoyed - just adding bits as they came (my mind sparks and jumps around) onto the end in their own section; a non-linear net that can catch thoughts and ideas. And though I love writing, I love teaching at least equally as much, so the Editing Notes was exciting too - especially since I keep noting the editing I'm doing as I'm going, so it gets it out of my head.
The weasel research! You've gifted me with new knowledge and insight, and that's pretty precious. And that last line is a prayer, which I have taken to heart.
Great post Peter.
You know what? Getting started on these newsletters is huge: is it perfect enough? Have I been silly and started down the wrong path? There's so much to say - how to do it and be coherent. How to find the time. As I said to Belinda, this second one has started to bring together ways of structure and focus. BUT what really has kicked into gear the energy to tackle number 3, and further practice and refine the message and style and joy, is your three word super boost. Belinda's helped me feel good about The Fox story, and you pushed me along with an "Okay, keep going." I seem to be learning that the Letter's true "voice" is coming together as it walks. And I love that you'll be doing behind the scenes stuff, I think that helps alot. Support back atcha.
My neighbors judge me for not mowing down my meadow.
Of course I could level it, to a uniformity, to let your eyes roam unimpeded through these acres to the trees.
But what about the family of deer who pass through eating the tender leaves?
What about the momma turkey and her three babies who love that particular tasseled grass?
I’ve put out water for the fox.
What about the fox?
"a beautiful living mongrel of a language" -- Yep. totally
Tears. We are all kin. kindred. Loved this.
Greetings Peter,
I am glad to have found your work, and just down from a night on the hill showered by shooting stars. I will gladly follow along as you ask language to stretch back toward the wild. With care, Adam
So much I love this Peter! I connected with your angst in Substack writers at work...hoping you found the lost note that was a breadcrumb back to your center...And of the fox...the indigenous concept of having responsibilities in society, more so than the " rights" we have learned to loudly demand that the world and others provide for us. I live in a metropolitan area but have an intense need for nature, am forever having to navigate who " owns" the strip of grass or stand of trees I've found to sit under....I get run off quite alot, property owners fear drug users and homeless people who take refuge in nature. Anyway, I connect with your writing, and find that primal somatic work which is healing my cptsd has greatly escalated my ability to feel what animals, trees, and plants are thinking. As a former mental health counselor who had a dramatic awakening a few years ago, I'm experiencing a schism of the rational, scientifically mind and this new part that I've gotten access to, where I can experience myself as moss growing on a forest floor, and feel my interconnection with the ecosystem in a visceral way. Nice to meet a fellow traveler on the path....long winding spiral back to the center of ourselves. 🙂