Thank you for taking us along with you to the Farminary, Tiya. I learned so much! When Reverend Brown said, “We can speak those things that are not, as though they are ...” it made think about how, as soon as the dams came out, the salmon returned to the Upper Klamath River this year. And I began to see that the salmon may seem to be "not" in a river, yet are they really gone? Their ancient bones fill the watersheds wherever they once thrived and so they are still there, unseen, yet waiting for an invitation to return.
I love what you said about wanting more life! More greenery! You inspire me to send out as many invitations as possible for the life party while the "cruel chaos-coaster" ride grinds to a halt.
Thanks for this reflection! It makes me proud (not always the case…) to be a graduate of the seminary. I love your wisdom that January is dissertation month. Happy 2026.
What a terrific column for the beginning of the year! As a fellow sufferer on a 2026 deadline, I think your dissertation tips work well for those of us who have a lot of publications under our belt too. Let me add another: in my experience, two signs that I have turned the corner into "finishing" no matter how dim that finish line may seem are: I can see the next project very clearly--the why, the how, and the chapter outline; and my confidence that I know the story is so strong that when I leave my desk in the afternoon I know where I will pick up in the morning, even if that pick up point is hard and is a couple paragraphs I need to write to connect to the next section (that will probably, in hte end, take all day!) In any case, happy new year, Tiya--and I was so pleased to see this news letter show up in my box :-)
Hi, Claire! Thank you! Happy New Year! I like that notion so much -- that a firm vision of the next project is a sign. I have too many fuzzy projects in my head at one time that it drives me nuts. What you said, though, helps me with prioritizing which of them should come next (after I finish the Jacobs project). I'm wishing you perserverance, clarity and extra juice as you finish the biography in 2026! I have to confess that I am much, much farther behind than you are. I am certain of it.
Given that you have written at least one book and reissued a revision of a second in the time since I finished my last (can it be six years ago?) I would not be surprised if I am further ahead! Courage, mon amie! Also, I loved your idea of the "token" so much that I finally ordered something I have been craving for some time: a road sign that says "Women at Work," an exact replica of a sign that hung over Susan Brownmiller's desk as she wrote Against Our Will.
Happy New Year! Thank you for the reminder all creation is holy and our spirits need nature. For a deep dive into those trees we love to bring into our homes, you may enjoy Evergreen by Trent Preszler. Great writer and lovely human.
Love this: “Nature is a soother of over-taxed nervous systems and a muse for imagination. Joining with others in nature’s embrace to name the wrongs in our world and to claim a resistant yet loving stance is both nourishing and empowering.” Thank you for this inspiration.
Thank you for taking us along with you to the Farminary, Tiya. I learned so much! When Reverend Brown said, “We can speak those things that are not, as though they are ...” it made think about how, as soon as the dams came out, the salmon returned to the Upper Klamath River this year. And I began to see that the salmon may seem to be "not" in a river, yet are they really gone? Their ancient bones fill the watersheds wherever they once thrived and so they are still there, unseen, yet waiting for an invitation to return.
I love what you said about wanting more life! More greenery! You inspire me to send out as many invitations as possible for the life party while the "cruel chaos-coaster" ride grinds to a halt.
Happy New Year, LC! I love reading your comments. Yes, the salmon must still be here, even if invisible.
Thanks for this reflection! It makes me proud (not always the case…) to be a graduate of the seminary. I love your wisdom that January is dissertation month. Happy 2026.
Oh, that's such a wonderful connection to know about, Mary!
Wild aliveness. You always inspire, nourish and comfort. Thank you ----
What a terrific column for the beginning of the year! As a fellow sufferer on a 2026 deadline, I think your dissertation tips work well for those of us who have a lot of publications under our belt too. Let me add another: in my experience, two signs that I have turned the corner into "finishing" no matter how dim that finish line may seem are: I can see the next project very clearly--the why, the how, and the chapter outline; and my confidence that I know the story is so strong that when I leave my desk in the afternoon I know where I will pick up in the morning, even if that pick up point is hard and is a couple paragraphs I need to write to connect to the next section (that will probably, in hte end, take all day!) In any case, happy new year, Tiya--and I was so pleased to see this news letter show up in my box :-)
Hi, Claire! Thank you! Happy New Year! I like that notion so much -- that a firm vision of the next project is a sign. I have too many fuzzy projects in my head at one time that it drives me nuts. What you said, though, helps me with prioritizing which of them should come next (after I finish the Jacobs project). I'm wishing you perserverance, clarity and extra juice as you finish the biography in 2026! I have to confess that I am much, much farther behind than you are. I am certain of it.
Given that you have written at least one book and reissued a revision of a second in the time since I finished my last (can it be six years ago?) I would not be surprised if I am further ahead! Courage, mon amie! Also, I loved your idea of the "token" so much that I finally ordered something I have been craving for some time: a road sign that says "Women at Work," an exact replica of a sign that hung over Susan Brownmiller's desk as she wrote Against Our Will.
Happy New Year! Thank you for the reminder all creation is holy and our spirits need nature. For a deep dive into those trees we love to bring into our homes, you may enjoy Evergreen by Trent Preszler. Great writer and lovely human.
Hello, Claire! How are things at the bookstore? Sending love and light.
Love this: “Nature is a soother of over-taxed nervous systems and a muse for imagination. Joining with others in nature’s embrace to name the wrongs in our world and to claim a resistant yet loving stance is both nourishing and empowering.” Thank you for this inspiration.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Julie!
The Farminary has been an important space for our Fellows!