I welcome your expert opinion on this, Robert. Would it be the unpredictable occurrence of war itself so much of the time or more so the assurances we're given from politicians about the ostensible purpose and rationale and aftermath of most wars?
I need to perhaps undertake or at least encourage broader and deeper study both for decision makers as well as just citizens. Since 1914, we owe ourselves better answers regarding identified threats of war that go beyond an assessment of threatening capabilities but dig into the real motivations behind a threatened war. Whose needs are being hypothetically addressed by a threatened war and how does the destruction of lives and property contribute to that?
Well, the pod is really a nascent idea at this point. But it will give me an opportunity to offer subscribers ideas and insights that don't seen to fit in my essays, including some skills for being outside and observing more in nature.
In that first episode, for example, I've got a few personal experiences to share about Monarchs, and then Ernest Williams will join me for discussion about the proposed listing, including ways for most of us to plug in to the deliberations.
Looking forward especially to the jumping spider essay. Thanks for all you do to evoke joy and wonder, and bring such reverent attention to the natural world.
Thank you for that — occurs to me that I’ve been “just sit[ting] there evolving” this winter, and am grateful for the phrase to describe it.
I saw that you were doing the Eagle Hill seminar again! I ponder doing it again just for the field trips, but may have a schedule conflict. But to anyone else in here thinking of it, you definitely should sign up!
For the record, I fully support your sitting there and evolving, especially the sitting part. And we did indeed have a wonderful ode seminar at Eagle Hill (with you as my star student)!
Happy holidays / happy new year Bryan! Excited about the upcoming podcast/modcast. And I love the photos of you & Odin - so much play and joy! I’m grateful you choose to write Chasing Nature (so much effort for such meager earnings - I feel ya!). Your work is well worth our attention 🕸️
Thanks so much for this kindness and support, Sabrina. Odin is, of course, the center of my universe. I'm on the road currently, but very much looking forward to my furry, four-legged greeting when I get home to his embrace!
Thanks, Maria (from a former Ann Arborite who spent lots of contemplative and meaningful time sitting in the woods beside the Huron River). That was more than 40 years ago, but it remains within me nonetheless.
In Denmark looking out over Nature Preserve while visiting the kids and want to wish you a Happy new year, thank you for the year of words and look forward to hearing your voice on the podcasts in 2025.
Thank you, Bryan, for choosing a "meager" life of meaning and bringing beauty and wonder to me and, I presume, a population starving for it. While I haven't always felt I had the time to read everything you post, in these times of increasing chaos in the political and geo spheres, I'm finding myself pulled more to paying attention to the source of awe, beauty and joy, which is , of course, the natural world. For me anyways. And I would think for most, if they would only ... pay attentionl So thank you, and happy new year!
This makes my day, Will. Thanks. And by all means, if your choice is to get out there into the living planet or to read Chasing Nature, please do get out there (as I'm sure you will)! 😀🌿 Happy 2025!
I love your writing, Bryan and always appreciate your insightfulness and candor. I’m particularly excited about the podcast because my introduction to you was on the radio. My wife and I used to get up early on Saturdays just to be sure to hear your WDEV ‘For the Birds’ show. (Remember when you couldn’t just listen to a show ‘whenever’?) I look forward to the first one about monarchs and whatever else you come up with. Any chance you’d consider having Anson Tebbetts on for a brief reunion?
Hey Nate. It's wonderful to hear from you again. Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, the podcast is a bit of a throwback to my roots in broadcast media. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I'll do a reunion with Anson -- but on WDEV. That would be something! 😀Send my best to Ann!
Can’t wait to read about the jumping spider! Such fun and inquisitive little creatures. I have two I just relocated to my basement, I can’t evict them in the dead of winter :)
Your pictures with Odin (what an awesome name BTW) brought a huge smile to my face today. Thank you for sharing. I love reading and writing about wildlife, but dogs are equally awesome.
Besides being the canine incarnation of the Norse god (but with both eyes functioning), Odin is indeed the center of my universe. (He's good about sharing sticks!)
Many thanks for your thoughtful essays covering a wide array of topics. I will be doing my best to focus on the content of your essays which are illuminating and inspiring. Given the political world we are facing for at least the next two years (perhaps there will be some relief with the mid-term elections) I will find much needed solace and an important safe haven away from the 24 hour “news”cycle! Best wishes to you, your family and Odie on a year filled with wonder, joy and love, Patty Stamler
Thanks, Patty. It's wonderful to hear from you. It's so odd and difficult sometime to immerse myself in the joy and wonder of nature while there's so much trouble elsewhere in the world. I've never quite been able to reconcile that. (I guess I need to read more philosophy -- or figure it out for myself.) Anyway, I hope we see each other again soon ! (You were a highlight of that last gathering!)
I'm so grateful that you put the time and effort into creating these posts each week, writing that grabs my attention and gives me something worthwhile to think about. Thank you!
Whoa! The field seminars at the Eagle Hill Institute. I‘ll be keeping an eye out for that, at least for the recordings.
I'll probably post the lectures before the seminar starts -- but I'll keep everyone posted!
What a great way to start the day, with those pics of Odie giving you the side eye!
One friend says I'm not being fair to Odie by hogging some terrain on his sticks! 😀❤️🐶 (Still, my dentist approves!)
It is ironic that as you note wars seem to surprise people when they occur in every instance for entirely human reasons
I welcome your expert opinion on this, Robert. Would it be the unpredictable occurrence of war itself so much of the time or more so the assurances we're given from politicians about the ostensible purpose and rationale and aftermath of most wars?
I need to perhaps undertake or at least encourage broader and deeper study both for decision makers as well as just citizens. Since 1914, we owe ourselves better answers regarding identified threats of war that go beyond an assessment of threatening capabilities but dig into the real motivations behind a threatened war. Whose needs are being hypothetically addressed by a threatened war and how does the destruction of lives and property contribute to that?
Great idea on the podcast. Any hints on who will take part?
Well, the pod is really a nascent idea at this point. But it will give me an opportunity to offer subscribers ideas and insights that don't seen to fit in my essays, including some skills for being outside and observing more in nature.
In that first episode, for example, I've got a few personal experiences to share about Monarchs, and then Ernest Williams will join me for discussion about the proposed listing, including ways for most of us to plug in to the deliberations.
In any event, I'm open to ideas for the podcast!
That sounds very interesting, I look forward to listening to it!
Looking forward especially to the jumping spider essay. Thanks for all you do to evoke joy and wonder, and bring such reverent attention to the natural world.
Aw, shucks. Thanks, MK. It means a lot coming from my favorite poet here on Substack!
By the way, I'll be thinking about Mitchell and his dreams.
Oden is so good to share his stick with you. What a great dog!
He has his moments! (And he is, of course, the center of my universe.)
Thank you for that — occurs to me that I’ve been “just sit[ting] there evolving” this winter, and am grateful for the phrase to describe it.
I saw that you were doing the Eagle Hill seminar again! I ponder doing it again just for the field trips, but may have a schedule conflict. But to anyone else in here thinking of it, you definitely should sign up!
For the record, I fully support your sitting there and evolving, especially the sitting part. And we did indeed have a wonderful ode seminar at Eagle Hill (with you as my star student)!
Well thank you! It was definitely my favorite class of all the ones I’ve taken up there.
Happy holidays / happy new year Bryan! Excited about the upcoming podcast/modcast. And I love the photos of you & Odin - so much play and joy! I’m grateful you choose to write Chasing Nature (so much effort for such meager earnings - I feel ya!). Your work is well worth our attention 🕸️
Thanks so much for this kindness and support, Sabrina. Odin is, of course, the center of my universe. I'm on the road currently, but very much looking forward to my furry, four-legged greeting when I get home to his embrace!
Thank you for your eloquent writing and I look forward to more in 2025!
Thanks, Maria (from a former Ann Arborite who spent lots of contemplative and meaningful time sitting in the woods beside the Huron River). That was more than 40 years ago, but it remains within me nonetheless.
In Denmark looking out over Nature Preserve while visiting the kids and want to wish you a Happy new year, thank you for the year of words and look forward to hearing your voice on the podcasts in 2025.
Oh, it's SO GREAT to hear from you, Carol! Enjoy that trip of yours! (Tell Denmark that we want them to buy the US!) 😀❤️
Thank you, Bryan, for choosing a "meager" life of meaning and bringing beauty and wonder to me and, I presume, a population starving for it. While I haven't always felt I had the time to read everything you post, in these times of increasing chaos in the political and geo spheres, I'm finding myself pulled more to paying attention to the source of awe, beauty and joy, which is , of course, the natural world. For me anyways. And I would think for most, if they would only ... pay attentionl So thank you, and happy new year!
This makes my day, Will. Thanks. And by all means, if your choice is to get out there into the living planet or to read Chasing Nature, please do get out there (as I'm sure you will)! 😀🌿 Happy 2025!
I love your writing, Bryan and always appreciate your insightfulness and candor. I’m particularly excited about the podcast because my introduction to you was on the radio. My wife and I used to get up early on Saturdays just to be sure to hear your WDEV ‘For the Birds’ show. (Remember when you couldn’t just listen to a show ‘whenever’?) I look forward to the first one about monarchs and whatever else you come up with. Any chance you’d consider having Anson Tebbetts on for a brief reunion?
Hey Nate. It's wonderful to hear from you again. Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, the podcast is a bit of a throwback to my roots in broadcast media. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I'll do a reunion with Anson -- but on WDEV. That would be something! 😀Send my best to Ann!
Can’t wait to read about the jumping spider! Such fun and inquisitive little creatures. I have two I just relocated to my basement, I can’t evict them in the dead of winter :)
Let's hope they find prey down there! (I'm enjoying your birding adventures!)
Thanks Bryan!
Your pictures with Odin (what an awesome name BTW) brought a huge smile to my face today. Thank you for sharing. I love reading and writing about wildlife, but dogs are equally awesome.
Besides being the canine incarnation of the Norse god (but with both eyes functioning), Odin is indeed the center of my universe. (He's good about sharing sticks!)
Many thanks for your thoughtful essays covering a wide array of topics. I will be doing my best to focus on the content of your essays which are illuminating and inspiring. Given the political world we are facing for at least the next two years (perhaps there will be some relief with the mid-term elections) I will find much needed solace and an important safe haven away from the 24 hour “news”cycle! Best wishes to you, your family and Odie on a year filled with wonder, joy and love, Patty Stamler
Thanks, Patty. It's wonderful to hear from you. It's so odd and difficult sometime to immerse myself in the joy and wonder of nature while there's so much trouble elsewhere in the world. I've never quite been able to reconcile that. (I guess I need to read more philosophy -- or figure it out for myself.) Anyway, I hope we see each other again soon ! (You were a highlight of that last gathering!)
I'm so grateful that you put the time and effort into creating these posts each week, writing that grabs my attention and gives me something worthwhile to think about. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Sarah. Those essays are indeed important to me -- I gladly lose sleep thinking and writing. Stay tuned for a jumping spider!