That wren! What a gorgeous song. I might just keep that playing while I work today. As always, you bring me right back into the natural world all around where I am -- today, intermittent sun (very welcome, as winter tends to be smothered in inversion layers here and this one in particular I'm calling the Winter of Fog), with chickadees, song sparrows, and starlings for company when I'm out for a walk. And magpies. Always magpies.
Thank you for sharing your reading strategies. I'm never sure how to talk about this organically on my own newsletter, and since I read so much people do ask. I've never used a Kindle because I like paper books, but the thought of pushing online longform reading (Aeon especially, and Substacks like yours that I like) to one is tempting. I can't stand reading on my phone and do get distracted on my laptop. And like you, I print out the scientific papers along with essays and articles I think I might want to highlight, mark up, or refer to later. I save it all in my Evernote but that's only if I want to pull something for later reference and linking. I print out almost everything I use for reference or research. I guess that's my Kindle. It nags me as wasteful but a) I haven't been able to let go of paper, and b) as "ownership" of digital media like TV shows and movies has become so shaky, I find a lot of relief in knowing that anything I have in print form can't be taken away or have advertising inserted into it after I've already paid for it.
Writing: First drafts (always extremely shitty) are almost always in a Mead Composition notebook, by pen but nothing special. Whatever ballpoint Costco had on sale that year! Though for the first time in my life I've started writing in pencil more frequently. No idea what that's about.
I'm so glad you entered the conversation, Nia, in part because you are among my heroes of productivity and engagement. Maybe in that nature writer's meetup, in addition to ideas and strategies for being on Substack, we can share "productivity" wisdom as well.
I adore the eraser on my mechanical pencil. (Maybe I'll post a first-draft page at some point.)
And, yeah, that wren. Another thing about it, at least for me, is that I sometimes laugh when I heard it sing. Not because it's funny, but more so as some sort of organic expression of happiness. (I think I've sometimes laughed during the few times I've been snorkeling as well).
People are constantly asking me how I do all the things I do and honestly I wish I knew! I can share what I do but not why it seems to work. I feel like I get very little done. But I'm excited to hear about this nature writers' meetup. :)
I am sometimes a little shamefaced to admit that almost all birds make me laugh. Even bald eagles on occasion, when the crows are trying to mess with one and he just shakes them off. But it's a laughter of joy--organic happiness, as you put it.
One of my most reliable laughs comes from red-winged blackbirds. Seems small, but the way their wings flare out when they're singing delights me to no end.
Thanks for sharing your approach to writing and reading. I write my first drafts with a Schneider Slider Rave XB ballpoint pen in Peter Pauper Notebooks. I like the way the pen slides over the smooth paper. I read these aloud and capture them on my phone in Google Notes and then email them to myself. I copy and paste from email into Google Docs. I revise and write in Google Docs and then print out the essay for editing. I make final edits and add photos in Substack. This routine greatly reduces my screentime.
I also appreciate your recommendations for other writers. David Knowles has led a fascinating life and his writing flows like water. I am looking forward to our April meetup.
Oh, this is GREAT, Bill! Just when I think I'm elated about the way I write, I learn of new ways to create and write. (Maybe it's like being elated -- and delusional -- in thinking I've got something decent in my first draft. 😀)
I have a lovely Carolina Wren as a regular visitor this winter to my feeders. Must be because of the so far mild winter, during which my references tell me they come this far north.
You might have an old field guide, Steven. For the past 30 years or so, those Carolina Wrens have been inching northward beyond their "traditional" range. Yeah, they're hear bigtime now -- through winter (such as we call it these days). I hope it's been singing for you!
I know it sounds sorta -- I dunno -- corny to talk about the Substack community this way. But it is indeed "a thing" - at least for many of us. And I'm grateful for it.
Perhaps a bit corny but works for me. I choose when and what to read and I do sense a community here. Real friends I see and do with take more time in unplanned and unanticipated ways - more commitment. But similar rewards. I appreciate both and now both belong in my life.
I am honored to learn that my poems are reserved for reading on your phone. Hopefully, they offer some form of respite. Now, I am enamored with the Canyon wren and its song, you so eloquently describe as a "warm, benevolent cascade."
Sounds great!! Btw--I just tried sending you a message via the private portal, but it would not send. I've got something I wanted to share with you. Do you have an email you feel comfortable sharing here? otherwise, email me at nina@blueridgebotanic.com Thanks!
Love the song, our own wrens are equally demanding that you pay attention to them with their tails popping up and their ability to make a sound like that.
I’m inspired by how you avoid reading on your phone (I had never heard of Paperwhite before)! And i also appreciate that you make a few exceptions for browser reads to not miss out on some color/links (including to mine, so touched, thank you! ☺️). It’d be dreamy to join you in person to watch and learn more about butterflies 🦋 Alas, opposites coasts we are.
The photo of the wren is beautiful. I like seeing the rusted pipe with it. The human and, as we encroach upon it, the bird world, are close. Your photo and that pipe give us perspective.
That wren! I didn't read all the comments and someone else may have said this but I immediately thought of the intro to that song "Jungle Love". 😅 At my home, it's the Carolina Wren that offers its wake-up call most days. It amazes me how loud such LBB's can be!
I also appreciate your recommendations of other Substack writers. I think I found your work from someone else, and now have new writing to enjoy thanks to you generously spotlighting others.
Bryan, just a note that I plugged your lovely newsletter on my own. My following is modest, but I like to think it makes up in quality. Thanks for your words and images.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. I enjoyed hearing the wren song.
Oh, to be in a canyon with them! 🎶🎶
That wren! What a gorgeous song. I might just keep that playing while I work today. As always, you bring me right back into the natural world all around where I am -- today, intermittent sun (very welcome, as winter tends to be smothered in inversion layers here and this one in particular I'm calling the Winter of Fog), with chickadees, song sparrows, and starlings for company when I'm out for a walk. And magpies. Always magpies.
Thank you for sharing your reading strategies. I'm never sure how to talk about this organically on my own newsletter, and since I read so much people do ask. I've never used a Kindle because I like paper books, but the thought of pushing online longform reading (Aeon especially, and Substacks like yours that I like) to one is tempting. I can't stand reading on my phone and do get distracted on my laptop. And like you, I print out the scientific papers along with essays and articles I think I might want to highlight, mark up, or refer to later. I save it all in my Evernote but that's only if I want to pull something for later reference and linking. I print out almost everything I use for reference or research. I guess that's my Kindle. It nags me as wasteful but a) I haven't been able to let go of paper, and b) as "ownership" of digital media like TV shows and movies has become so shaky, I find a lot of relief in knowing that anything I have in print form can't be taken away or have advertising inserted into it after I've already paid for it.
Writing: First drafts (always extremely shitty) are almost always in a Mead Composition notebook, by pen but nothing special. Whatever ballpoint Costco had on sale that year! Though for the first time in my life I've started writing in pencil more frequently. No idea what that's about.
I'm so glad you entered the conversation, Nia, in part because you are among my heroes of productivity and engagement. Maybe in that nature writer's meetup, in addition to ideas and strategies for being on Substack, we can share "productivity" wisdom as well.
I adore the eraser on my mechanical pencil. (Maybe I'll post a first-draft page at some point.)
And, yeah, that wren. Another thing about it, at least for me, is that I sometimes laugh when I heard it sing. Not because it's funny, but more so as some sort of organic expression of happiness. (I think I've sometimes laughed during the few times I've been snorkeling as well).
People are constantly asking me how I do all the things I do and honestly I wish I knew! I can share what I do but not why it seems to work. I feel like I get very little done. But I'm excited to hear about this nature writers' meetup. :)
I am sometimes a little shamefaced to admit that almost all birds make me laugh. Even bald eagles on occasion, when the crows are trying to mess with one and he just shakes them off. But it's a laughter of joy--organic happiness, as you put it.
At least two birds make me laugh, one for the way it looks the other for its call:
- If you look at it just right, Montezuma Quail has a funny face: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=30727bcd2dd9b64e&q=montezuma+quail&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiz9fmx9MSEAxUcg4kEHRHJAuEQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1312&bih=771&dpr=2.2
- Willow Ptarmigan has a most comical vocalization: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Willow_Ptarmigan/sounds
Love these! They are perfect.
One of my most reliable laughs comes from red-winged blackbirds. Seems small, but the way their wings flare out when they're singing delights me to no end.
This back and forth between you two, alone is worth the price of admission.
Smiling.
Thanks for sharing your approach to writing and reading. I write my first drafts with a Schneider Slider Rave XB ballpoint pen in Peter Pauper Notebooks. I like the way the pen slides over the smooth paper. I read these aloud and capture them on my phone in Google Notes and then email them to myself. I copy and paste from email into Google Docs. I revise and write in Google Docs and then print out the essay for editing. I make final edits and add photos in Substack. This routine greatly reduces my screentime.
I also appreciate your recommendations for other writers. David Knowles has led a fascinating life and his writing flows like water. I am looking forward to our April meetup.
Oh, this is GREAT, Bill! Just when I think I'm elated about the way I write, I learn of new ways to create and write. (Maybe it's like being elated -- and delusional -- in thinking I've got something decent in my first draft. 😀)
Hey Brian,
I have a lovely Carolina Wren as a regular visitor this winter to my feeders. Must be because of the so far mild winter, during which my references tell me they come this far north.
Steve Gold
You might have an old field guide, Steven. For the past 30 years or so, those Carolina Wrens have been inching northward beyond their "traditional" range. Yeah, they're hear bigtime now -- through winter (such as we call it these days). I hope it's been singing for you!
The song of the wren brings back great memories...
I appreciate many of the same Substack writers. Good company.
Nature heals the ache of politics and our species lack of concern for others. Our community helps.
I know it sounds sorta -- I dunno -- corny to talk about the Substack community this way. But it is indeed "a thing" - at least for many of us. And I'm grateful for it.
Perhaps a bit corny but works for me. I choose when and what to read and I do sense a community here. Real friends I see and do with take more time in unplanned and unanticipated ways - more commitment. But similar rewards. I appreciate both and now both belong in my life.
I am honored to learn that my poems are reserved for reading on your phone. Hopefully, they offer some form of respite. Now, I am enamored with the Canyon wren and its song, you so eloquently describe as a "warm, benevolent cascade."
Yeah, but you and Mary Oliver would put it better.
You know, I wrote a poem once. Here it is:
ON DYING
When I leave this long, green path
let me die
of apple crisp.
Not the worst way to go, I suppose.
Thanks for the mention Bryan! I've also learned about so many other wonderful folks from your post here. Thanks for bringing them to my attention! 🦋
Talk soon, "Ninja!" 😅
Sounds great!! Btw--I just tried sending you a message via the private portal, but it would not send. I've got something I wanted to share with you. Do you have an email you feel comfortable sharing here? otherwise, email me at nina@blueridgebotanic.com Thanks!
Love the song, our own wrens are equally demanding that you pay attention to them with their tails popping up and their ability to make a sound like that.
They are indeed exuberant in their utterances!
Canyon wrens' were one of the most enchanting songs I learned in my college ornithology class--along with Swainson's thrushes.
Enchanting indeed! Ethereal as well (but I sorta wonder whether that might now be a cliché for the Catharus thrushes. 🤔 😀)
I’m inspired by how you avoid reading on your phone (I had never heard of Paperwhite before)! And i also appreciate that you make a few exceptions for browser reads to not miss out on some color/links (including to mine, so touched, thank you! ☺️). It’d be dreamy to join you in person to watch and learn more about butterflies 🦋 Alas, opposites coasts we are.
... and I get to read you on paper! (More on that to come!)
Some day I'll head west with my butterfly net!
The photo of the wren is beautiful. I like seeing the rusted pipe with it. The human and, as we encroach upon it, the bird world, are close. Your photo and that pipe give us perspective.
Thank you for sharing the song.
Yeah, sometimes wildlife photography can become more genuine with rusty pipes and other human artifacts!
That wren! I didn't read all the comments and someone else may have said this but I immediately thought of the intro to that song "Jungle Love". 😅 At my home, it's the Carolina Wren that offers its wake-up call most days. It amazes me how loud such LBB's can be!
I also appreciate your recommendations of other Substack writers. I think I found your work from someone else, and now have new writing to enjoy thanks to you generously spotlighting others.
Absolutely can't go wrong with a Carolina Wren in the morning. I'll be hearing them (in the actual Carolinas) soon!
Oh! And I'd love to participate in the nature writers meetup. What a terrific idea!
so many fond memories of Canyon wrens!
I KNOW you must have Canyon Wren tales to tell! (And I owe you a shoutout.)
Very interesting column and also engaging because it shows us things about you we didn’t know.
Oh, so much about me to hide! 😂
Bryan, just a note that I plugged your lovely newsletter on my own. My following is modest, but I like to think it makes up in quality. Thanks for your words and images.
I'll have a look. Thanks, Anne!