Aldo Leopold

Two Fundamentals

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I encourage writers to include two fundamental habits in our life: secure that place and time to write (everyday); gather with other writers. Today I am sharing some places to come write, gather, learn, and make contact with your Muse (and the page). Let me start with the FREE WRITERS’ Retreat: Spring Green, WI. On SATURDAY MARCH 4th we are offering my first 2017 (free) WRITERS’ RETREAT at a friend’s home southwest of Spring Green in Clyde Township in her spacious, lovely home. Begins at 10:00 am and goes till 4:00. Write, enjoy a sunny spot on a window bench (she has a large home with plenty of writing … Continue reading →

The Reshaping Light

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 “Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.”  –Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac I write this message to you on Solstice Eve. Tomorrow brings the longest stretch of darkness, with a promise of the returning light. My favorite time of day is the crepuscular hour before all goes dark. True twilight. Dusk. When I lived in Minneapolis my large picture window happened to be placed so that I could enjoy the light as it crossed the room in its departure. I would regain energy and purpose in … Continue reading →

What Good Is It?

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“The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant, “What good is it?” If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” ― Aldo Leopold, Round River: From the Journals of Aldo Leopold   Writers, at our best, are intelligent tinkerers. We use everything … Continue reading →

Writing as Distraction

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I had hoped that writing could be a distraction from missing my daughter. If wishes were fishes! “If wishes were horses then beggars would ride, If turnips were swords I’d have one by my side. If ‘ifs’ and ‘ands’ were pots and pans There would be no need for tinker’s hands!” So I tinker. I find, as all writers do, that writing takes us into our lives, our stories. Writing explores our possibilities, where we can become “intelligent tinkerers.” We tinker with an idea or an experience until something fruitful results. But we must not give up on our tinkering . … Continue reading →

What Am I Going To Do?

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What are you going to do with this one precious day? When you lay your head down tonight what will you be happy that you did or experienced today? As a writer, the joy likely comes in “having written.” Spending time in nature is a good idea too. Aldo Leopold said that there is nothing that a good walk outside won’t cure. The best ideas for our writing projects often come from a nice walk outdoors. And, a moment with the realization of your importance . . .